§ Mr. Parryasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his meeting with his European Economic Community counterparts on 9 December; and if he will clarify Her Majesty's Government's position on the United Kingdom beet quota.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 10 December in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member 433W for Aberdeenshire, East (Mr. McQuarrie), and on 19 December in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes).—[Vol. 995, c. 687; Vol. 996, c. 562–63.]
In relation to beet sugar quotas the Government's position has not changed. We support an overall reduction in European Community sugar quotas and would accept in consequence a reduction in the United Kingdom quota. We will not, however, accept proposals which discriminate unfairly against the United Kingdom.