§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the statement on the meeting of the European Council,Official Report, 15 February, column 711–12, whether he will explain how the milk quotas are working; and if he will give his estimate of the distribution of the benefit between the producer, the consumer and the taxpayer.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonWhile they were not the Government's preferred solution to the problems of the dairy sector, milk quotas have acted as an effective limitation on surplus production within the Community. By comparison with the situation that would have prevailed had no action been taken, they are of general benefit.