§ Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the total monetary comsatory amounts paid by the European Commission in respect of imports into the United Kingdom of agricultural produce in 1977–78 or the most recent date available.
338Win 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and the first six months of 1978;
(5) if he will state the volume of imports of plums into the United Kingdom in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and the first six months of 1978;
(6) if he will state the volume of imports of strawberries into the United Kingdom in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and the first six months of 1978;
(7) if he will state the volume of imports of table grapes into the United Kingdom in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and the first six months of 1978;
(8) if he will state the volume of imports of apricots into the United Kingdom in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and the first six months of 1978.
§ Mr. MeacherFollowing is the available information for fresh fruit:
§ Mr. BishopAs payments of monetary compensatory amounts (MCAs), in respect of United Kingdom imports are made by the exporting countries, precise figures in sterling are not available. However, total expenditure on these MCAs was approximately £580 million in 1977 and may reach approximately £590 million in 1978.
NOTE:
(a) 1977 figures are based on information supplied by the Commission. The 1978 forecast is based on monetary compensatory amount percentages which have applied so far this year and the trade assumptions underlying the 1978 Community budget.(b) The figures all relate to MCAs paid in intra-Community trade and in third country trade where the MCA exceeds the external levy. No account has been taken of MCA levies applied to United Kingdom exports.