International Commodity Agreements

Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture, Fisheries and Food – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 7 February 1974.

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Photo of Mr Patrick Wolrige-Gordon Mr Patrick Wolrige-Gordon , Aberdeenshire East 12:00, 7 February 1974

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the Government are trying to stimulate interest in international commodity agreements, especially in food commodities.

Photo of Mrs Peggy Fenner Mrs Peggy Fenner , Rochester and Chatham

We have always considered that in appropriate circumstances international agreements on trade in food commodities can be valuable, and fully support the EEC's proposal, in the GATT trade negotiations, of using them to bring more stability and expansion to agricultural trade. Recent world food supply fluctuations have reinforced international attention on this.

Photo of Mr Patrick Wolrige-Gordon Mr Patrick Wolrige-Gordon , Aberdeenshire East

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Will she bear in mind that stability in international commodities is of continuing importance to us, and that the sugar agreement is an excellent example of what can be achieved?

Photo of Mrs Peggy Fenner Mrs Peggy Fenner , Rochester and Chatham

I agree with my hon. Friend. We hope that the Community will joint the 1970 International Sugar Agreement in due course.