§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had from the Association of Butter Makers, Blenders and Packers on the subject of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community; and what replies he gave.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe Association has given its views, principally in a memorandum at the beginning of January, on a number of issues. In particular, it was concerned about the possibility of butter blending in an enlarged European Economic Community and also about a compositional standard for butter, although there are no regulations in force in the Community on these questions. My Department's officials had discussed these and other points with representatives of the Association in December, as part of our continuing consultation on the implications of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, under the existing Common Market rules, continental European fishing boats are permitted to fish in the territorial waters of the member States; and what special arrangements it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to call for in relation to fisheries in the Irish Sea in the negotiations for entry to the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe European Economic Community regulation on a238W common structural policy for fisheries provides in general for common access to the waters of member States, but, as my hon. Friend will see from the copy which I am sending him, this is subject to a number of qualifications. So far as the entry negotiations are concerned, the position is as stated by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in his reply of 17th May, 1971, to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton).—[Vol. 817, c. 852–3.]