§ Mr. Welshasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will reintroduce and extend the beef token scheme for retirement pensioners.
§ Mr. BishopThe beef token scheme, which expired on 6th April 1975, was introduced by the EEC, and any proposal to reintroduce it would have to be agreed by the Community as a whole. The scheme was intended as a temporary measure to stimulate demand for beef in a period of heavy over-supply. The present market situation would not, in our view, justify reviving it, but my right hon. Friend certainly intends to ensure that this type of scheme is kept in mind for the future.