§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in negotiations to amend and extend the International Coffee Agreement 1976; and whether the United Kingdom will be a party to the agreement as extended.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThere was a meeting of the International Coffee Council from 14 June to 2 July to discuss proposed modifications to the 1976 coffee agreement which is due to expire on 30 September 1982 unless extended. Substantial progress was made but it was not possible to take decisions on all the matters under discussion and a further meeting of the Coffee Council will take place from 6–17 September 1982.
Resolution No. 318 of the International Coffee Council, which was laid before the House on 25 February 1982, provided that the agreement be extended, unamended, for one year provided that decisions had been taken on proposed modifications by 30 June. Resolution 319 of the International Coffee Council was laid before the House on 15 July and extends the date for decisions to 17 September. It is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to notify provisional application of the agreement in conformity with the dispositions of resolutions 318 and 319 as soon as possible.
Copies of both resolutions are available in the Library of the House.