Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the effect of the 5 per cent. devaluation of the green pound on the amounts payable on beef cattle, pigs, eggs and fat lambs which are exported and imported from and to Northern Ireland from Eire.
§ Mr. BishopThe effect of the representative rate change on 4th August for beef cattle and pigs will be a slight increase in the net MCA subsidy on exports to Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic of 9p per live cwt. and 2p per score deadweight respectively compared with the situation which would 401W have obtained had the representative rate not been altered. The net charge on exports from Northern Ireland to the Irish Republic will increase by the same amount.
For eggs the recent suspension of the United Kingdom MCA import subsidy means that at present small net charges are imposed on trade in both directions. On 4th August the charge on exports from the Irish Republic will be reduced by 0.53p per dozen, and that on exports from Northern Ireland will be increased by 0.14p per dozen. All these figures are based on the current market value of the £.
The MCA system does not apply to lambs.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he asked the EEC for a greater devaluation of the green pound than 5 per cent. which was refused, or whether he asked for 5 per cent. only.
§ Mr. BishopThe Commission's proposal for a 5 per cent. adjustment in the representative rate was made with the agreement of Her Majesty's Government.