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while reserving to themselves complete liberty of action in the determination and administration of their internal agricultural and price policies, shall endeavour not to operate those policies in such a way as to impede the free movement of prices between the maximum price and the minimum price in respect of transactions in wheat into which the exporting and importing countries are prepared to enter. Should any exporting or importing country consider that it is suffering hardship as the result of such policies, it may draw the attention of the Council to the matter and the Council shall inquire into and make a report on the complaint. Article VII Stocks 1. In order to assure supplies of wheat to importing countries, each exporting country shall endeavour to maintain stocks of old crop wheat at the end of its crop-year at a level adequate to ensure that it will fulfill its guaranteed sales under this Agreement in each subsequent crop-year. 2. In the event of a short crop being harvested by an exporting country, particular consideration shall be given by the Council to the efforts made by that exporting country to maintain adequate stocks as required by paragraph 1 of this Article before that country is relieved of any of its obligations under Article X. 3. In order to avoid disproportionate purchases of wheat at the beginning and end of a crop-year, which might prejudice the stabilization of prices under this Agreement and render difficult the fulfilment of the obligations of all exporting and importing countries, importing countries shall endeavour to maintain adequate stocks at all times. 4. In the event of an appeal by an importing country under Article XII, particular consideration shall be given by the Council to the efforts made by that importing country to maintain adequate stocks as required by paragraph 3 of this Article before it decides in favour of such an appeal. Article VIII Information to be Supplied to the Council The exporting and importing countries shall report to the Council, within the time prescribed by it, such information as the Council may request in connection with the administration of this Agreement.