§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what was the total cost to the taxpayer for the half value of the 700 tonnes of beef which was shipped to Libya from Troon in Ayrshire on 19 April; and what further liabilities will be borne by the British taxpayer in planned future dispatches;
(2) why Her Majesty's Government paid half the cost of a shipment of 700 tonnes of beef dispatched from Troon, Scotland, on 19 April consigned to Libya; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to his reply, 23 April 1986. column 164.]: There is no direct liability to the British taxpayer as export refunds are paid from Community funds, although of course these funds are provided in the end by member states. Export refunds are payable on Community beef exports to Libya at the rates which apply to destinations in North Africa and the near and middle east. These vary according to the cut involved and in mid-April ranged from around 20p per pound to around 75p per pound. It is likely that the refund in this case fell in the middle of that range.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will propose at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers that no further export rebates should be paid by the EEC in respect of exports of food to Libya; and if he will make a statement.
371W
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to cease the shipment of beef and other commodities from Scotland to Libya; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to his reply, 23 April 1986, c. 164]: Exports of agricultural commodities take place under regulations designed to place Commodity exports in a position to compete with supplies at world prices, not to provide special benefits to the recipient countries. The Commission has in addition assured us that no further special refunds will be made available on exports of dairy products to Libya.