§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it is the intention of the other European Economic Community member states to abolish the variable meat premium in 1985 when the discussions take place for that year's price review; and if he will make it his policy to oppose any such proposal at the Council of Agriculture Ministers.
§ Mr. MacGregor[pursuant to his reply, 5 April 1984, c. 679]: At successive price settlements since it was first introduced, the scheme has been renewed and agreement was reached this year that the United Kingdom beef variable premium scheme should again be renewed for 1984–85. There was no proposal that the scheme should be ended thereafter and we gave no such commitment.