§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the amount of barley which will be exported from the EEC to the USSR in 1973 and of the cost to taxpayers of the EEC in subsidies and export restitutions; and what were the comparable figures for 1972.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartNo precise estimate of total EEC exports of barley to the USSR in 1973 can be made, but sales up to a maximum of one million tons by the end of July have been authorised by the Commission. This would involved restitution payments to a total of about £20 million. Figures for 1972 are not yet available.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantities of barley are being sold by the EEC to Eastern European countries and at what price, if the sale price is subsidised; what is the cost of any subsidy to the British taxpayer; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe EEC Commission has issued licences under normal Community arrangements for the export by private traders of up to 3.5 million tons of barley, of which up to 2.75 million tons are destined for Eastern European countries. The normal Community export restitution on these sales should result in a selling price of about £30 per ton. Total export restitution would amount to between £30 million and £50 million, depending on the quantities sold, of which the United Kingdom's share would be between £2.55 million and £4.25 million.