HC Deb 17 November 1983 vol 48 c557W
16. Mr. Deakins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much, in percentage terms, the cost of the common agricultural policy has increased during the past 10 years; and what proportion of the total gross domestic product of the Community was devoted to that cost in the first and second period of five years, respectively.

Mr. Jopling

Community expenditure on the CAP has increased at an average annual rate of 14.7 per cent. during the period 1973 to 1982. The cost of the CAP represented 0.43 per cent. of total gross domestic products of the Community in the first five years of this period and 0.57 per cent. in the second five years.

18. Mr. Proctor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has made any further progress towards reform of the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement.

21. Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on recent discussions which took place on the 1983 agricultural review in the Council of Ministers in Brussels.

26. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the European Community discussions on the reform of the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jopling

My right hon. and hon. Friends and I last discussed the Commission's proposals for adjustments to the common agricultural policy at the special Council meeting on 9 to 11 November. I hope that decisions will be taken at the Heads of Government meeting on 4 to 6 December.