§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he has made to the Council of Ministers to retain the subsidy for school milk;
(2) what representations he has made to ensure the continuation of the subsidy for school milk.
§ Mr. JackAt the Agriculture Council on 20–21 September the United Kingdom, supported by several other member states, argued that the Commission's proposal for a 50 per cent. cut in the rate of school milk subsidy was too drastic a measure for achieving budgetary savings and would threaten the viability of a popular scheme which had played an important role in encouraging consumption of milk and milk products. In the light of these representations the Council agreed to limit the reduction in subsidy to 25 per cent. and to find the balance of the necessary savings by making technical adjustments aimed at improving the cost-effectiveness of the scheme. The Government are satisfied that this represents a sensible compromise which safeguards the viability of the scheme while at the same time taking account of the severe pressure on the Community budget.