HC Deb 01 May 1986 vol 96 cc473-4W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what estimate has been made by the Commission of the cost of the European Economic Community's agricultural activities in 1986 in consequence of the 1986 price review; what was the figure for 1985; and what is the level of expenditure permitted under the strict budgetary controls agreed in December 1984, disregarding the factor of any allowances which can be made under this agreement for exceptional or aberrant circumstances;

(2) what new areas of spending by national Governments on agriculture are permitted or obliged under the 1986 farm price review proposals; what restrictions have been placed under the agreement on the extent of such national funding; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what estimate he has made of the additional cost to United Kingdom national expenditure of the parts of the 1986 farm price review package which permit national Governments to make extra provision for small cereal producers and for beneficiaries of the milk outgoers scheme and which oblige national Governments to pay a share of the costs of surplus storage and to reduce the interest payments on moneys provided by the Intervention Board for such storage, respectively;

(4) what estimate was made by the Commission of the savings to common agricultural policy costs in 1986 of transferring to member states one quarter of the costs of surplus food storage and of reducing the interest payments made to member states for their interim financing of such storage costs, respectively.

Mr. Gummer

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.