HC Deb 10 April 1974 vol 872 cc185-6W
Mr. Geraint Howells

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to abolish the levy of 2.85p per lb. on cow beef exported from the United Kingdom to France.

Mr. Buchan

The charge on beef exported from the United Kingdom is part of the arrangements applied to compensate for the fluctuation of exchange rates within the EEC and to minimise trade distortions. On our imports the arrangements enable an equivalent subsidy to be paid. I do not believe that the abolition of these arrangements would be in our interest.