§ Captain Orrasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the light of the announced closure of the Emdal meat factory in Newry, County Down, he will now seek an urgent review of the Anglo-Eire Trade Agreement.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs 175W whether, in view of the situation in the Northern Ireland deadmeat industry, he will seek an immediate review of the appropriate provision of the Anglo-Eire Trade Agreement.
§ Mrs. HartI am unable to accept that the difficulties of the Northern Irish meat industry are directly attributable to the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement or the Supplementary Agreement on Store Animals and Carcass Meat.
The operation of the Free Trade Area Agreement is subject to annual review, and the Supplementary Agreement is currently being reviewed at quarterly intervals. The next quarterly meeting is due shortly. Accordingly I do not consider that the circumstances necessitate a special review of the former agreement.