§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what additional spending was transferred from the European Economic Community to member states in consequence of the price review agreement; and if, in particular, he will explain the nature and extent of the additional direct payments to be made to sugar refiners.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe price review does not transfer any additional financial responsibility from the Community to member states. There are two new provisions for sugar cane refiners. One is for an aid (initially about 52p per tonne) which replaces a temporary compensation scheme and is wholly funded by the Community. The other authorises the United Kingdom to supplement the margins of its cane refiners further by up to about £3.28 per tonne of sugar imported under preferential terms from the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. This aid is discretionary and therefore only 25 per cent. funded by the Community.