§ Mr. Marlowasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the latest annual major schemes and average prices of each major product group within British agriculture and hence, by adding specified subsidies, the total receipts; what over the same period of time has been the average world market price of each similar major product group; and what has been the benefit to British agriculture over world prices of the common agricultural policy.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI regret that adequate information is not readily available to answer the question in the form requested.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost to the British consumer of the common agricultural policy in pence per £ sterling of food prices by comparison with world market prices.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithIt is unrealistic to suppose that, in the absence of the common agricultural policy, consumers would in all cases obtain their supplies at the world prices implied by levies.
§ Mr. Richard Shepherdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy on agricultural price levels of the common agricultural policy in the forthcoming discussions; and if he has given any indication to date of his policy in this regard to other EEC members.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithOur policy is to seek severe restraint on agricultural price levels, particularly for products in structural surplus, and our colleagues in other member States are well aware of this.