§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the annual cost of a deficiency payment system to cover foodstuffs at present covered by the common agricultural policy and at present produced in the United Kingdom, on the assumption that deficiency payments would be offered for standard quantities related to the United Kingdom's material needs, that world food prices remained at current levels and the United Kingdom's farmers' net incomes were maintained.
§ Mr. JoplingI have made no estimate on such an array of assumptions. But I have indicated in broad terms that were deficiency payments operated now, for the main commodities, they could cost around £4 billion.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy towards the future of the common agricultural policy in the light of the recent estimate by the EEC-funded European Union of Consumers that the net cost of the policy per average family is £13 per week; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerI shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.