§ Mr. Marlowasked the Prime Minister whether she will press for an inquiry at the highest possible level into the sale of over 100,000 kilos of European butter to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the last 12 months.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government have consistently made clear at all levels their opposition to subsidised sales of butter to the Soviet Union, and will continue to do so. While I deplore the high level of such sales that occurred in 1980, the pressure we have exerted has resulted in a tightening of the Community's export arrangements for milk products, and no refunds are available at present on butter going to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. In the circumstances, I do not think an inquiry of the sort suggested by my hon. Friend would be fruitful.