§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the approaches made by him by the Consumers Association against other increases under the European Economic Community farm prices review, whether these approaches gave details of where the common agricultural policy has failed to meet the farm and food objectives of the Rome Treaty; and to what extent he expects to implement his promises and declaration to the Association that there should not be increases on surplus products and restraints on other food prices.
§ Mr. John SilkinI have received letters from the Consumers' Association about the CAP price negotiations. I have also seen its Press release on 10th March which advocated a freeze on EEC support prices for commodities in structural surplus and restraint on other farm prices and commented generally on the functioning of the CAP. I have told the Association that I shall press for the maximum degree of price restraint in the EEC price-fixing and in particular shall continue strenuously to oppose increases in common prices for commodities in structural surplus.