HC Deb 19 January 1978 vol 942 cc333-4W
23. Mr. Michael Spicer

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current difference between the green pound and the market rate of the £ sterling.

36. Mr. Brotherton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the value of the green pound.

Mr. John Silkin

The difference between the representative rate for sterling and the market rate used for the purpose of calculating monetary compensatory amounts is now 30.7 per cent. giving an applied MCA percentage of 29.2. I continue to keep the rate for the green pound under review and will propose a change when I believe this to be justified in the overall national interest.

43. Mr. MacCormick

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received in the current year regarding the devaluation of the green pound.

Mr. John Silkin

I continually receive representations on the level of the green pound which vary significantly in what they recommend.

53. Mr. David Price

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the fact that the United Kingdom, after a five-year transitional period, became a fully participating member of the European Community's common agricultural policy on 1st January 1978, if he will realign the rate of the green pound to that of the real pound.

Mr. John Silkin

No. There would be no justification for such a change, which would lead to a substantial increase in food prices and would be harmful to British agriculture.