§ Mr. Bodyasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the progress being made to enable the European Economic Community to join international commodity agreements.
§ Sir Ian GilmourThe European Economic Community is a member of the following international commodity agreements: the International Wheat Agreement (1971); the second international Cocoa Agreement (1975); the fifth international Tin Agreement (1975); the third international Coffee Agreement (1976); and the third international Olive Oil Agreement (1979). The Community is in the process of ratifying the international Natural Rubber Agreement (1979). As I reported to the House on 14 July, the Council of Ministers has decided that the Community should join the third international Cocoa Agreement (1980). As regards the international Sugar Agreement, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 20 July to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris). The Community will consider later this year whether to join the sixth international Tin Agreement, which will be open for signature until 30 April 1982.—[Vol. 8, c. 979; Vol. 9, c. 48.]