Written question asked by Lord Redwood (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 May 1997. It was answered by Tony Blair (Labour) on Monday, 19 May 1997 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister

Question: What action he proposes in respect of (a) fishermen, (b) beef farmers and (c) tax payers in his first month of negotiations in Brussels.

Answer: Mr. Redwood: To ask the Prime Minister what action he proposes in respect of (a) fishermen, (b) beef farmers and (c) taxpayers in his first month of negotiations in Brussels. [301] The Prime Minister: My right hon. Friends, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have already visited Brussels to pursue the United Kingdom's interests. We are working within the intergovernmental conference negotiations for a solution to the problem of quota hopping; pursuing a progressive relaxation of the ban on exports of British beef; and seeking to ensure that the money British taxpayers contribute to the Community budget is used efficiently and effectively towards goals which the British people support. In the IGC we have already announced our intention to table new proposals to tackle fraud against the Community budget.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 301; 294 c15W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Contributions Exports EU budget Fish United Kingdom BSE Beef Quotas Intergovernmental Conference 1996