§ Mr. Moateasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the reallocation of shortfalls, which may occur in the sugar quotas of the developing countries under the Lomé Convention, can be made freely; if he will take steps to ensure that the provisions of the Sugar Protocol arrangements will be liberally interpreted by the Community, in order to maximise imports from the developing countries and to secure as much sugar as possible for British refiners; and if he is satisfied that there are adequate arrangements for reallocating shortfalls between the ACP countries, India, and the OCT.
§ Mr. BishopIn the first delivery period for preferential imports of sugar under 465W the Lomé Convention and related agreements—1st February to 30th June 1975—no shortfalls occurred. It is too early to say whether there will be shortfalls at the end of the current delivery period—30th June 1976. Provisions exist for the reallocation of shortfalls within existing agreements. My right hon. Friend will support the full implementation of those provisions to the benefit of the supplying countries and the United Kingdom refining industry. The possibility of reallocating shortfalls between the existing agreements will be examined if and when shortfalls occur.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the speed and effectiveness of consultation between the Commission of the EEC and the Lomé Convention countries, and with India, on matters concerning the import of sugar into the Community.
§ Mr. BishopUnder the Sugar Protocol to the Lomé Convention, consultations relating to all measures necessary for the application of the Protocol take place at the request of one or more of the ACP sugar-exporting States, or of the Commission. Parallel arrangements exist for consultation between the Community and India. In practice, the EEC Commission maintains frequent contact with representatives of the sugar producing countries on matters concerning preferential sugar imports.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is
AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF MILK IN EEC MEMBER COUNTRIES Country Date Pence per Pint Percentage change compared with January 1973 West Germany … … December 1975 … … 11.6 +23 France … … October 1975 … … 10.0 +36 Italy … … September 1975 … … 9.9 +52 Netherlands … … February 1976 … … 10.4 +30 Belgium … … December 1975 … … 10.0 +35 Denmark … … January 1976 … … 10.5 +48 Irish Republic … … February 1976 … … 7.0 +52 United Kingdom … … February 1976 … … 8.5 +55 Sources: National Publications/Department of Employment Gazette.