asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which provisions of the Rome Treaty determined the terms under which the ballot now being held among British farmers on the future of the Milk Marketing Board should be conducted.

The polls of producers in each of the United Kingdom milk marketing board areas have been carried out in accordance with the terms of EEC regulations nos 1421/78 and 1422/78. These regulations were adopted by the Council of Ministers under general powers given to them by the provisions of articles 42 and 43 of the Treaty of Rome.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what majority will be required to retain the services of the Milk Marketing Board in the milk producers' ballot now being organized; on what basis the ballot is being conducted; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. Hoyle) on 16th November.