§ 78. Mr. Milneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what communications he has received from the various Northumberland fishing associations arising from the agreement reached with the European Economic Community in regard to the Community Fisheries Agreement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartNone, and I have nothing to add to the statement by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Geoffrey Rippon) on 13th December and to what was said in the debate on 15th December.—[Vol. 828, c. 51–65 c. 725–37.]
§ 79. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what decisions were reached at the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Conference beginning 14th December in Moscow regarding the quota system of catch-conservation of cod stocks and the preparation for the Law Of The Sea Conference at the United Nations in New York 1973; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartPending the approval of new powers to enable the Commission to adopt measures of quota292W regulation, Ministers agreed to consider interim measures of catch regulation outside the present framework of the Convention. My right hon. Friend made the specific proposal that in the North-East Atlantic and Icelandic areas, catches of cod and haddock in 1972 should as an interim measure be limited to a tonnage not exceeding the average of the ten years 1961–70.
The Conference was not an appropriate forum for discussing issues relating to the Law of the Sea which are excluded from the scope of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Convention.
I am arranging for a copy of the communiqué to be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he discussed with the Wines and Spirits Association the question of the title and designation of British wines before agreeing in Brussels that by 1976 British wines should cease to be so called; and to what extent he estimates this will adversely affect Great Britain's export trade.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe association directly concerned is the National Association of British Wine Producers. We have had consultations with them throughout the discussions in Brussels, and the agreement we have reached with the Community is consistent with those consultations. I have no reason to expect any adverse effect on our export trade and under appropriate designations the products concerned will enjoy freedom of movement in the enlarged Community
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give for the latest and most convenient stated date the total annual amount of imports of Israeli citrus fruits and juices into Great Britain on a tonnage and sterling basis; and to what extent an increase of 7 per cent. on citrus fruits and a 20 per cent. duty on juices would raise the costs of these items on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartIn 1970 United Kingdom imports from Israel of fresh citrus and of citrus juices were, respectively, 220,000 tons valued at £ 14.7 293W million and 35,000 tons valued at £3.2 million. I cannot identify the precise figures used by the hon. Member in the second half of his Question, but in any event it is not possible to relate tariff changes directly to market prices.