asked the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the impact on consumers in the EEC of the Commission's proposals for a tax on margarine and cooking oils; and if she will make a statement.

I hope that the Commission's oils and fats tax proposal will be withdrawn before the next European Council meeting in June. The right way to control the growing cost of the Community's oils and fats regime is to reduce support prices, not to tax the consumers.