§ 38. Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers he will have within an enlarged European Economic Community to ensure that United Kingdom farmers are recouped, in whole or in part, for increased costs of production.
§ Mr. PriorWe should play our full part in the institutions of the Community, which set target, intervention and other prices for the main agricultural products, in the light of the relevant circumstances at the time. It would be pointless to speculate about the extent to which future production costs would or should be recouped.
§ 39. Mr. Spenceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his latest estimates of the effect on British farmers of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community on the terms now envisaged.
§ Mr. PriorAs I said in the debate on 21st January I have no doubt that British farmers would have much to gain from entry but I cannot give my hon. Friend any more detailed estimates. We have366W not concluded our negotiations on the transitional arrangements for agriculture. —[Vol. 809, c. 1323.]
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will, in furtherance of the Government's educational programme, within the control of his Department, initiate a series of public discussion meetings to advise the public to what extent Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community will affect food imports, qualities and descriptions of foods, Commonwealth trade in food and agricultural products, and the prices of food and agricultural products; and in preparation therefore, whether he will consult with the Trades Union Congress, the Agricultural Workers' Union, and the National Farmers' Union.
§ Mr. PriorAs I said in the debate on 21st January, I believe that the country should be fully informed and I will continue to make the facts known as opportunity offers. But I do not think meetings of the kind suggested would be helpful.—[Vol. 1318–9.]