§ Mr. Richard Shepherdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what has been the cost to the United Kingdom consumer of the common agricultural policy for each year of the United Kingdom's membership of the EEC; and how it has been quantified;
(2) what has been the gain to United Kingdom producers of the common agricultural policy for each year of the United Kingdom's membership of the EEC; and how it has been quantified;
(3) what has been the loss to taxpayers as a result of the common agricultural 458W policy for each year of the United Kingdom's membership of the EEC; and how it has been quantified.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerTo answer these questions would require assumptions about the levels at which, and in particular the methods by which, farm production in the United Kingdom would have been supported in the absence of the common agricultural policy. I do not consider that it would be realistic to make a series of hypothetical assump-preparation of the answer would involve tions of this sort, and in any case the disproportionate time and effort.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will cause to be published a table showing his best estimates for each of the last three years for the cost and benefit of the common agricultural policy to each European Community country over and above budget contributions, bearing in mind the difference between European and world food or feed prices and assuming that those countries buying from other European countries at European prices could otherwise buy on the world market at the world prices then ruling.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI shall provide a reply as soon as possible.