§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give full details of the agreement with the European Economic Community Council of Ministers which will ensure the provision of adequate supplies of liquid milk to meet consumer demand throughout the country and throughout the year.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartMy right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster reported to the House on these discussions in his statement of 29th October and in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Galloway (Mr. Brewis) on 17th November. I cannot add at present to those statements.—[Vol. 805, c. 440; Vol. 806, c.386.]
Dr. Mark Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what price decisions at the Annual Review will be taken at national and what at Community level in the event of the United Kingdom entering the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartPrice decisions are taken following Annual Reviews, and in the European Economic Community decisions on agricultural prices under the common agricultural policy will be taken at Community level.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what 78W estimate he has made of the effect of the surpluses of butter, sugar, eggs, fruit and pigs in the countries of the Six necessitating a 20 per cent. cut in European pig prices on British farmers, their production prices and profits, and prices in the shops, and of the extent to which Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community will change the situation; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartIt is not possible to make a worthwhile estimate of the present effect of surpluses in the European Economic Community on production and prices in the United Kingdom. If we were to join the Community, the situation would depend on decisions taken by all its members, including, of course, ourselves.