§ Mr. Emeryasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures have been used during 1980 by the French and Danish Governments to assist farmers in those countries; what is his estimate of the value of this aid; and if he will make similar assistance available to British farmers.
§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider taking action to implement policies similar to those being pursued by the French and Danish Governments to tide producers over a difficult period whilst incomes are still on the decline.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI have written to the European Commission about the latest announcement of aids in France and await a reply. I understand that the latest proposals by the Danish Government have yet to be considered by their Parliament. The latest estimate of ordinary expenditure under the French agricultural budget in 1980 is about £2,300 million. I cannot provide a figure for agricultural support in 1980 in Denmark.