§ Mr. Proctorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Basildon of 14 March, Official Report, c. 28, what is the reason for the increase in the cost of European Community subsidies for the export of surplus agricultural production to countries outside the Community from 1982 to 1983; if he will express the increase in percentage terms; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe appropriation for expenditure on export refunds in the 1983 Community budget is 3 per cent. less than the corresponding figure in the 1982 budget, although 25 per cent. higher than last year's provisional outturn. These figures show the considerable savings on export refunds last year due to favourable world markets. This year, however, expenditure—particularly for cereals and milk products—is likely to reflect the relatively weak world prices. These developments reinforce the need for restraint in setting common agricultural policy prices in 1983–84, implementation of the guarantee threshold proposals and for careful and cost-effective management of commodity markets by the Commission.