§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement in the light of the European Court's judgment in the case concerning the powers of the Northern Ireland Pig Marketing Board.
§ Mr. John Silkin:I have noted the European Court's judgment in this case. It is now for the court in Northern Ireland to apply the judgment to the facts of the case, and it would be premature for me to comment in detail before that has been done. We are, however, already engaged in urgent discussions with the Commission in Brussels about the longterm arrangements for Northern Ireland pigs in the light of the European Court's ruling and it will be the objective of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and myself to ensure that these provide for satisfactory marketing arrangements.