§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much of the expenditure in 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82 and 1982–83 by the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce and the agriculture departments on market regulations under the common agricultural policy was financed from Exchequer funds; and what proportion this represented of total expenditure under those heads.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe information is as follows:
price index for products in the common agricultural policy which is attributable in each case to the operation of the common agricultural policy, higher wages, higher fuel costs and other factors, respectively.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerIt is not possible to give a reliable breakdown of the sort requested by the hon. Member. However, the right hon. Member for Deptford (Mr. Silkin) told the House on 3 April 1979 that of the 110 per cent. rise in food prices from the beginning of 1974 to the beginning of 1979, only 10 per cent. had been entirely due to common agricultural policy prices. I have no reason to doubt that assertion.