asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received relating to over-fishing in the North Sea.

We have received representations that in the absence of a properly enforced Community quota system fish stocks in the North Sea and elsewhere are being jeopardised by unregulated fishing.

In view of that, and in view of the Prime Minister's back-down on the financing of the EEC yesterday, what assurance can the Minister give British fishermen that they are not next in line for a sell-out?

There was no back-down by my right hon. Friend yesterday. As it seems to take a long time to sink in to the hon. Gentleman, I repeat that fisheries are not up for trading.

Is it not a fact that last last year the Dutch and German fishing fleets plundered our waters and took 40 per cent. above their quota of table fish? What have the Government done about that? What protestations have the Government made to the Dutch and Germans?

The right hon. Gentleman does not need me to remind him that his party was in government at that time. Perhaps he should tell the House what he was doing. I repeat that of prime importance for the conservation of fish stocks is an effective common policy that takes full account of British fishing interests. Only in that way can we ensure that fishing is properly regulated and stocks not destroyed.

Repeated reports are being received of the ban on herring being totally disregarded by some vessels. Is there not a great danger that fishermen will get very excited, as indeed they have done in Aberdeen this week? What investigations has the right hon. Gentleman been able to make into the landing of herring in Denmark and France?

I am grateful to the hon. Member for raising that matter, as it is one that causes us real concern. The moment we received the reports we contacted the Danish authorities to ask for information from them and to offer our help in any way that was necessary. Negotiations are still continuing.

In the spirit of the discussions last night, I hope that right hon. and hon. Members will try to ask one supplementary question when they are called. I hope that they will try hard to do this.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in negotiating a fundamental reform of the common agricultural policy of the EEC.

The freeze in the milk support prices for 1979–80 and the very low increase for other products was a start. I will be seeking further improvements.

The right hon. Gentleman will recall that when he returned in June and increased food prices by 1½ per cent, except for milk, he told us that because of the butter subsidy we were better off. Has he seen Treasury memorandum 8008, which suggests that our increased payment into the budget will be about £150 million? Does he agree that the guarantee section of the CAP this year is estimated to rise by 10 per cent, and that we shall have to pay our share of that burden?

The recent price fixing was the first agreement since we entered the Community in which Britain was a net beneficiary to the extent of £30 million. The increases to which the hon. Gentleman refers relate to decisions taken within the CAP previously. For example, a decision was taken by the previous Government for a £1,300 million structural payment to Italy, Ireland and other countries, which we are paying for partly this year and partly in the years to come.

If, despite the united efforts of the European Democratic Group in the European Parliament, the European Parliament were to include in the budget for 1980 a highly discriminatory co-responsibility milk levy, may we rely on my right hon. Friend to veto that once again, as he has done on a previous occasion?

I should oppose any discriminatory co-responsibility levy. As we reach the ceiling for expenditure within the CAP, I think that there will be a tendency for countries to suggest that we have general levies to avoid facing that ceiling. At the Council of Ministers meeting on Tuesday I made it clear that the British Government would not support the use of any such levies.

Yesterday I was accused of spreading speculative scare stories. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that thousands of workers in milk distribution are already scared that, because of the import of French milk, their livelihoods are in danger and that they will be thrown on the dole? What action does the Minister propose to ensure that these jobs will be protected and that the daily delivery milk system is protected against the import of French milk?

I agree that it is vital to retain the doorstep delivery system. The present health regulations prevent French milk from coming to Britain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the proposed common sheepmeat policy.

As my hon. Friend the Minister of State told the House yesterday, no progress was made at the Council in Luxembourg on Tuesday. I have rejected French suggestions for renegotiating the Community's GATT obligations to New Zealand and other third countries and for intervention measures. I have repeatedly made it clear that any common measures must fully recognise the needs of United Kingdom producers and consumers and the rights of our New Zealand suppliers.

In his statement yesterday the Minister of State indicated that Commissioner Gundelach was seeking early French compliance with the ruling of the Court. In the light of the statements that Commissioner Gundelach has made today—that he is seeking early compliance—will the right hon. Gentleman say what compensation he will seek for our lamb exporters, who have lost much money as a result of the illegality which began on 1 January 1978, and which was exacerbated by the subsequent ruling of the Court?

I thank the hon. Gentleman for condemning the illegality. I greatly regret that 37 of his colleagues have congratulated France on pursuing its illegal acts. The latest information that I have is that the Commissioner is seeing the French today and tomorrow morning. I understand that if the French are not complying with article 30 of the treaty he will be taking legal action tomorrow.

In his statement yesterday the Minister of State referred to action being taken and recommended that action should be taken by the Commission against the French Government. What action have the Government in mind, and what action has been recommended by the British Government?

The Commission will decide tomorrow what legal action to take in the light of whatever assurance it receives from the French Government. In the interests of the Community, I hope that before tomorrow the French Government will decide to comply with the law and will obey the law. If they do not, it will be for the Commission to decide the form of its legal action. I shall be consulting the Commission next week on the speed with which action will take place and on how effective it will be.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is an utter disgrace that some Labour Members are seeking to disregard the law, and that their action is far worse than he described? Does he agree that if we want sheepmeat it is necessary for sheepmeat producers to recover their costs in the same way as producers of whisky, television sets, motor cars and everything else?

The motion that has been tabled by certain Labour Members will give great encouragement to the French Government. It is a motion that is very much against our national interests.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the present stocks held by the EEC in intervention and aided private storage of skimmed milk powder, wheat, barley, beef, butter and cheese, respectively.

I will, with permission, circulate in the Official Report the statistics that the right hon. Gentleman has asked for.

As we are all anti-marketeers now, will the Government, in face of the figures that apparently they are afraid to give to the House, set a date beyond which Britain will withdraw from the common agricultural policy unless it has been effectively dismantled by that time?

The right hon. Gentleman's use of "all" is entirely and totally wrong. In the light of the present difficulties facing the Common Market, I hope that he recognises that the British Government have the support of the Governments of all the other member States.

Will the Minister explain why there has been a colossal increase—about 30 per cent. to 40 per cent.—in the amount of skimmed milk sold at retail distributors while at the same time quite a large amount has been sold in the Common Market to make pig swill?

Under the disposal arrangements, skimmed milk has been returned to producers. It has, therefore, been used within the EEC. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will be encouraged by the fact that there are now about 350,000 tonnes in store compared with 880,000 tonnes a year ago. I hope that he will welcome that fact.

In any renegotiation of the CAP will my hon. Friend be careful not to seek merely short-term public acclamation as Labour Members seem to want? Will he consider the long-term future of British consumers and ensure that we have an adequate supply at reasonable prices for our housewives, which means surpluses?

There is no doubt that there is a real identity of interest between producers and consumers. A strong British agricultural industry is much in the interests of the consumer as it maintains security and continuity of supply.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he will meet the Council of Agriculture Ministers of the European Economic Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he expects to attend a meeting of the EEC Council of Agriculture Ministers.

On 12–13 November.

Will my right hon. Friend put into operation the machinery that exists whereby in certain circumstances he may call for a special meeting of the EEC Council of Agriculture Ministers? Many of my colleagues feel that it is not good enough to wait until the next scheduled meeting to discuss the action taken by the French and any retaliatory action that Britain should take. Will he press for the implementation of this special meeting immediately?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. There were two special meetings of the Council last week. I shall have to consider the decisions of the Commission on Friday and the actions of the French Government. I can assure my hon. Friend that the action that can be taken will be taken by the Commission. I shall be in close contact with it between now and 12 November.

Is it not regrettable that my right hon. Friend will not meet the Common Market with a united House of Commons behind him, and that there are 37 Labour Members who support the French?

That is extremely regrettable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the House is not surprised that two of his hon. Friends have not been present to ask questions on the dairy industry? When he next meets the Ministers of Agriculture of the EEC, will he negotiate with them the health restrictions that now apply to milk, which his hon. Friend indicated yesterday he will lift or harmonise? If that occurs will not French milk enter Britain and prejudice our dairy industry?

My hon. Friend assures me that he has no intention of lifting regulations as described by the hon. Gentleman. As far as I know, that is not a topic on the agenda for 12 November.

When the right hon. Gentleman meets the other EEC Agriculture Ministers, will he make it clear to them that he intends to take such measures as may be necessary to ensure that present milk production levels in the United Kingdom—in all parts of the Kingdom—continue at the present level of profitability, even though that will entail the continuation of schemes such as the one that aids milk producers in Northern Ireland?

As a country that has to import about a third of its dairy products, it is greatly in our national interest to retain the present level of production and the prosperity of the dairy industry.

When my right hon. Friend next meets his colleagues will he stress to them that the inshore fishermen of Britain see their livelihood being steadily destroyed because no action has been taken to protect them for 10 years? Will he try to ensure that help will come to them in the near future?

The representatives of the inshore fishermen were with us at the recent meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers and they were totally in agreement with the attitude that was taken at the meeting.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he will meet the chairman of the Forestry Commission.

Ministers responsible for forestry meet the chairman of the Forestry Commission from time to time. The date of the next meeting has not been arranged.

When my hon. Friend meets the chairman of the Forestry Commission will he seek to determine and publish a target figure for the total forestry acreage to be planted over the next 25 years so that the industry will have the chance to plan ahead?

I am sympathetic to my hon. Friend's request. Ministers are awaiting proposals from the Forestry Commission, arising from its consultative document on "The Wood Production Outlook in Britain" and other relevant studies.

Does my hon. Friend appreciate the significance of the private forestry sectors in the country? Will he ensure that they and not merely the public sector receive the support of the Forestry Commission?

I entirely endorse my hon. Friend's remarks. He will be pleased to know that there is an encouraging increase in applications for basis III dedication schemes.

Will the hon. Gentleman assure the House that this successful example of public enterprise will not be sacrificed as part of the Government's public expenditure cuts?

I am happy to give the hon. Gentleman that assurance.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the latest available figures of the average earnings of farm workers.

The latest available information is from the Ministry's wages and employment inquiry covering England and Wales. This shows that in the year ending June 1979 the average gross weekly earnings for all whole-time regular hired men of 20 and over were £66·45 for a 46·6 hour week.

I thank the Minister for his reply. Is he aware that those figures include overtime and that the average overtime each week for farm workers is between 6½and 7 hours, whereas in industry it is only 4 hours? Is he further aware that the gap between the average earnings of farm workers and industrial workers is now running at £20 to £25 per week? Will he accept from me that in the last 12 years the increase in production in agriculture has been twice that achieved in industry? In view of the fact that the Prime Minister is always saying that workers can have an increase only when there has been an increase in production, does the right hon. Gentleman support the farm workers' claim for £100 per week?

The figures that I provided cover both pay and the number of hours worked. The average wage is £66·45 for 46·6 hours' work. It is true that the gap between farm workers' and industrial workers' wages increased in the last year of the Labour Government. I hope that in the negotiations full consideration will be given to the good productivity record of farm workers.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that if the unions representing industrial workers would moderate their wage claims not only would there be more for the agricultural worker but their wages would go further?

As I said to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Miss Maynard), it is true that in the last year of the Labour Government the gap between the earnings of industrial and agricultural workers widened.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that those wages are ludicrously low for highly skilled men, especially in view of the Government's proposals vis-a-vis school transport, and so on?

It is an average wage which covers both skilled and unskilled workers. Different skills receive different wages.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the latest figures available for the addition to British food prices resulting from membership of the EEC; and if he will make a statement.

A calculation of this kind involves many assumptions about the agricultural support arrangements which would have applied in the United Kingdom if we were outside the EEC and about the way in which world markets for agricultural produce would have moved. Subject to that qualification I estimate that, as a result of the CAP, retail food prices in 1979 have been some 8 per cent, to 10 per cent. higher than they might otherwise have been.

Does the hon. Gentleman accept that there are enormous assumptions in that calculation and, as every housewife will tell him, the real effect of EEC membership is greater than that? Does he agree that the problem is particularly acute because it is evident that, in spite of the earlier boasts of the Prime Minister, we shall not achieve a substantial reduction to our contribution to the budget at the meeting in Dublin?

If the hon. Gentleman does not care to believe my figures he might reflect that a similar figure was calculated by his right hon. Friend the Member for Deptford (Mr. Silkin) when he was in office and by the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan), who was in the Department of Prices and Consumer Protection at that time. I agree that our budget contribution must be put on a more reasonable basis and that is what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is negotiating now.

Does my hon. Friend agree that if we had kept the old deficiency payments system which ended in 1972, while allowing for real price increases and inflation since then, the total amount of that sort of support would be about twice our net contribution to the CAP as it now stands?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his remarks, he is absolutely right. Those who criticise the CAP often forget that, under the deficiency payments system, many hundreds of millions of pounds every year were committed by the taxpayer.

Is the Minister aware that one commodity which could be far cheaper as a result of our membership of the Common Market is school milk? Will he explain why so many rural local authorities do not take advantage of the subsidies which are available?

The hon. Gentleman has overlooked the fact that a subsidy on milk is paid by the EEC.

Does my hon. Friend agree that, in view of the increase of more than 100 per cent. in prices during the period of office of the previous Government, our membership of the Community has afforded us good value? Does he agree that the Socialist Government were very expensive for the country?

It is significant that in the five years under the previous Government food prices rose by just over 120 per cent. Therefore, the recent 10 per cent. rise must be put into the proper perspective.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the effectiveness of the conservation measures designed to protect the South-West mackerel stocks; and if he will make a statement.

I am concerned at the lack of satisfactory EEC measures to protect the Western mackerel and other fish stocks. In the meantime, we will continue our national measures, including our mackerel licensing, in order to avoid overfishing by the United Kingdom fleet.

Bearing in mind the unfortunate experiences of last winter and the fact that this matter is essentially a United Kingdom problem, will the Minister assure the House and the inshore fishermen of Devon and Cornwall that, in the event of saturation of fishing vessels being reached this year, he will consider extending the present three-mile limit to six miles for smaller vessels?

I am aware of the concern that is felt on the subject, especially in relation to smaller vessels. When the fishing starts next week I shall be spending three days in the South-West. I look forward to meeting those involved in the industry and hearing their problems first hand.

Is the Minister aware of the lunatic proposal to abolish the Cornwall sea fisheries committee which, at least, protects Cornwall for the first three miles? Will he assure the House that he will not allow such a measure to take place and that he will oppose it?

The hon. Gentleman is wrong. There is no proposal to abolish the Cornwall sea fisheries committee. The function and future structure of such committees are being reviewed and discussions are taking place. However, I assure the hon. Gentleman that no decision has been reached yet.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the EEC common fisheries policy negotiations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made with the EEC regarding finalisation of a common fisheries policy.

I refer the hon. Members to the statement made in the House yesterday by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, concerning the outcome of the meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers that was held on 29 October.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that within all sections of the fishing industry there is a great deal of concern that time is slipping past and 1982 is approaching rapidly? Will he assure the House that he will press for an early agreement—one which follows the main principles which my right hon. Friend the Member for Deptford (Mr. Silkin) sought to achieve and which still has the full backing of the fishing industry?

The hon. Gentleman is right. The industry is anxious to reach a settlement because the uncertainty is bad. We stick by the principles that were agreed by both sides of the House. It was agreed at the recent meeting of the Council that a paper should be tabled which will form the basis of new negotiations rather than to link us with the proposals on the table that were totally unacceptable to us.

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that effective regional fishing plans can emerge from these discussions?

Yes.

Will the Minister assure the House that any EEC fisheries settlement will be put to a vote in the House?

I shall give the same assurance as that given by my predecessor, under whom the hon. Gentleman served: that, in terms of any negotiations, I shall endeavour to keep the House totally informed, but if there comes a point in the negotiations when I have to reach an agreement, as the right hon. Gentleman who preceded me said, I shall have to do it and defend my position afterwards.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to meet the president of the National Farmers' Union.

This afternoon, Sir.

When my right hon. Friend meets the president of the NFU later this afternoon, will he give him some indication of what encouragement may be given to the British livestock farmer who has undoubtedly suffered in recent months as a result of unacceptable imports of meat from Common Market countries, particularly Denmark?

Regarding imports from Denmark, particularly pig meat, the British industry has responded well and prices have improved tolerably well in the last few months. I hope that situation will continue.

When the right hon. Gentleman next meets the president of the NFU, will he discuss with him the problem of green top milk; and will he make a statement about its future?

I have already discussed this matter with the president of the NFU and with other members. We shall be making a statement on this matter in the near future.

When my right hon. Friend meets the president of the NFU, will he speak to him about the importance of the problems of English apple growers? Will he ensure that the NFU takes on board the need for greater expenditure on publicity to promote British apples to combat the seemingly unfair competition that we are suffering?

Yes. I am anxious that we should improve the marketing and expansion of the British apple industry. The people I have appointed to look into marketing have given this area priority and are dealing with it now. I hope that, as a result, we shall improve not only our production methods in certain areas, but, perhaps more important, our marketing.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be discussing the possible damage to the dairy farming industry which may result from the proposal in the Education Bill to relieve education authorities of the duty to provide school milk—a relief which will no doubt be grasped eagerly by those tight-fisted authorities which want to save money rather than protect the health of children? Therefore, will he suggest to his right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science that that proposal should be dropped?

No, Sir.

When my right hon. Friend meets the president of the NFU, will he confirm or deny recent newspaper reports that he is about to seek a devaluation of the green pound?

I assure the House that I shall never mention that I am about to consider devaluing the green pound. All that happens in such circumstances is that a substantial volume of foreign butter comes into this country to the detriment of British butter producers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects next to meet Commissioner Gundelach.

When I next attend a meeting of the Agriculture Council on 12 and 13 November.

Yes. When the right hon. Gentleman meets Mr. Gundelach, will he impress upon him that the expensive, disreputable and damaging agricultural policy is not suitable to this country and is bleeding it white? Will he also tell Mr. Gundelach that the Government intend to achieve a fundamental reform of the system, failing which he will recommend Parliament to withdraw?

I agree with the hon. Gentleman that I certainly inherited a substantial problem. During the last five years, the agriculture budget went up from £1,900 million to over £7,000 million. I regret that there was so much agreement by the then British Government to a whole range of increases in goods which were in surplus and to a whole range of other schemes for which this country will have to pay. I have made it perfectly clear that, now that we are very close to the ceiling on CAP expenditure, the Government will do nothing to raise that ceiling. What is now needed is a fundamental look at the future of the CAP.

If Mr. Gundelach takes the French Government back to the European Court over sheepmeat and they again ignore its dictates, what do we do?

First, I think that the Commission and all the member States recognise that, if the French Government continue in this way, they will be threatening the whole future of the Community. As regards other actions that can be undertaken, the Commission has to put forward a range of proposals which I should first have to discuss with the Commission.

What is happening about the report commissioned by Mr. Gundelach in March 1968 on seal culling in the North Sea?

He has not so far disclosed it to me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the chairman of the Meat and Livestock Commission.

I met the chairman on 19 September and I will be meeting him again on 15 November.

Will my hon. Friend discuss with the chairman when he meets him the possibility of achieving long-term stability measures on the availability and price of quality livestock for United Kingdom buyers?

Yes; I shall discuss that with him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he will meet the Council of Fisheries Ministers of the European Economic Community.

On 3 and 4 December 1979.

I fully support the stand that my right hon. Friend is taking on these matters which are absolutely crucial to this country. But will he bear in mind that it is important that time is taken to get it right and that, however long it takes, we must get it right? Will he tell the House what progress has been made concerning fish stocks? Can we see any progress in this matter through the measures which have been taken?

My hon. Friend is right on the first matter. It will not be a quick negotiation, because complicated national interests are at stake. I assure him that the divers sections of our industry are working closely with us on this matter and will be with us in either Brussels or Luxembourg when the negotiations take place.

When the right hon. Gentleman next meets the Council of Fisheries Ministers, will he discuss the issue which has arisen in Aberdeen this week where there was severe disruption to the fish market because of the importation of Faroes fish? Is he aware that there is great concern that we are allowed to take only 5,000 tons from Faroese waters compared with their 120,000 tons from our waters and the right to land the fish? Will he look into that matter?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that I will look into that matter.

In any discussions on EEC fisheries policy, will my right hon. Friend ensure that due regard is taken of the real conservation measures that we have taken and that policy is not formulated on historic catches?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the president of the Food Manufacturers Federation.

My right hon. Friend last saw the president of the Food Manufacturers Federation on 23 October. No firm date has been set for their next meeting.

Does my hon. Friend agree that the United Kingdom's food manufacturing inustry is the most efficient in Europe and that it provides the best value within Europe? Does he further agree that the interests of our producers—the farmers of the United Kingdom—and of the food manufacturers are now more in agreement than they have ever been? What proposals does he have to put before the House for a reform of the common agricultural policy which will ensure that the best interests of both the farmers and the food manufacturers continue to be met by a Conservative Government who are pledged to serve the best interests of the United Kingdom?

My hon. Friend will be well aware of the many statements made by my right hon. Friend dealing with the last part of his question. I hope that the House appreciates the absolute necessity of seeing that all parts of the food chain work together for the good of the farmer, the manufacturer and the customer.

Will the Minister answer his hon. Friend's question, which concerned what would be achieved in the reform of the common agricultural policy? Is it not true that no reform can be achieved without the unanimous support of all the member States? Does he agree that he will not get that support and that, therefore, talk of reform of the CAP is just so much hot air and nonsense?

I am surprised to hear the hon. Gentleman say that, in the light of the best price settlement that has been achieved since Britain has been in the Common Market. Although Opposition Members are reluctant to accept that, it is a great achievement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the levels of hill livestock compensatory allowance for payment on 1 January 1980.

The review of hill livestock compensatory allowances is in progress and I intend to announce the Government's decision before the end of November.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that, if we do not substantially increase the level of hill livestock compensatory allowances, there is a grave danger that sheep and cattle will be removed from our hills and that the long-term consequences to the British housewife will be scarce and expensive meat?

My hon. Friend will know that the previous Government decided, in view of the exceptional weather last winter, that they would pay and additional 50p. We have done that as well. We also said that, because of the uncertainty in the market in the autumn, we would wait until that time to make a judgment. Most hill farmers are pleased that the Government made that decision. Obviously we will now examine the facts on their merits and make an announcement in November.

Can the Minister give an assurance to the House, and to the hill farmers of this country, that the maximum allowances will be paid to hill farmers?

I am sure the hon. Gentleman understands that I first of all need to discuss this matter with the National Farmers' Union, which I will do this afternoon. We are examining the facts of the increase in costs and the decrease in price, and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we will base our decision on the facts.

Does the Minister recognise that, since the previous Government made their decision on the additional 50p, the situation has deteriorated rapidly in the hills, where appalling climatic conditions were experienced during the summer, particularly in the North of Scotland? Does he realise that the markets have been badly disrupted by the French decision? The Minister's concern for the future, in relation to the French, must be matched by a concern for the damage already done. What steps will he take to ensure that our farmers are properly compensated for that damage?

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will explain to his constituents exactly why 37 of his hon. Friends have supported the French at the expense of the farmers in his constituency.

Can the Minister tell us what is the estimated profit for suckling calves this year, and how does it compare with two years ago?

I will discuss this in detail with the farmers' representatives this afternoon.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to assist the bacon industry in marketing its products in order to make the industry more competitive with the European bacon industry; and if he will make a statement.

Monetary compensatory amounts are now much reduced so that the bacon industry is now competing with imports on fairer terms. It is primarily a matter for the industry itself to improve the marketing of its products, but the marketing advisers my right hon. Friend appointed in July are also examining this.

I thank the Minister for those remarks, but may I ask if he is aware that the bacon industry has gone through an extremely trying time over the last few years? There has been a shrinkage in the industry, and considerable unemployment. Will he take steps to change the common agricultural policy so that the situation is improved? Will he also take steps to take up the allowances from the EEC which will help to modernise our bacon industry?

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will reflect on which party was in power over the last five years when the industry went through the distress that he has described. Monetary compensatory amounts, a subsidy enjoyed by European bacon coming into Britain, were at a level of £231 a tonne in March. They are £77 a tonne today. As a result of the policy of the present Government, the bacon industry is in a very much stronger position than it has been over the last five years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in reducing Great Britain's contribution to the common agricultural policy element of the EEC budget.

I estimate that the decisions taken by the Agriculture Council in June reduced our net contribution to the budget by about £30 million in the farm year 1979–80, compared with what it would otherwise have been.

The right hon. Gentleman's answer gives a certain amount of satisfaction, but is he aware that he really is expected to do very much better for Britain as a whole and for the housewife in particular?

I agree. We have only just started to do somewhat better than the last Government. We hope to do much better.