§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he made in his discussions with the Irish Foreign Minister on Monday 7 November on European Community financing, the budget and the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindThere was agreement on the need to reach early decisions on the main issues currently under negotiation. My right hon. and learned Friend stressed the need for an equitable and lasting arrangement to deal with our budget burden. We agreed on the need to control surplus agricultural production. My right hon. and learned Friend made clear our view that this could be achieved only by a strict mechanism, such as that already proposed by the United Kingdom, accompanied by a rigorous price policy.
Both parties agreed that the Community must develop new policies. My right hon. and learned Friend described our own far-reaching and cost effective proposals.