§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessments he has made of the effectiveness of the new banana régime in benefiting the 597W banana farmers in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, with particular relevance to the eastern Caribbean; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 10 December 1993]: The new regime has only been in force for a few months and the Community market is taking time to settle down. We hope for a greater degree of stability once the system enters its first full year in January 1994. I am being kept fully aware of developments in the United Kingdom and Community markets and am meeting representatives of the Caribbean Banana Exporters Association next week.