§ Baroness Ellesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What quantities of cereals have been exported to Poland under the new emergency European Community regulations; whether there have been any serious delays in implementing the regulations and, if so, on what grounds have the exports been held up.
Earl FerrersIn conformity with the decision taken by the Council of Ministers in December, 175,000 tonnes of barley from United Kingdom intervention stocks and 25,000 tonnes of rye from Danish intervention stocks are being made available for purchase by Poland but none of this grain has yet been exported. Administrative arrangements have been completed for the grain from United Kingdom stocks to be sold by tender and bids have been invited from the trade.
The Government have agreed to provide support for the extension of credit to Poland to cover part of the purchase cost of the grain and the Poles have been informed of the terms. It is now for the Polish Government to conclude a loan agreement with an appropriate lender and I understand that the necessary negotiations are in progress.
House adjourned at eighteen minutes before ten o'clock.