HL Deb 24 July 1986 vol 479 cc377-8

3.7 p.m.

Baroness Elliot of Harwood

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows: To ask Her Majesty's Government what level of support has so far been committed by the agricul-ture and food industries to Food from Britain.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)

My Lords, I am pleased to say that with the positive outcome of the poll of cereal growers, the agriculture and food industries have committed £2.5 million to Food from Britain in 1986–87 and a similar amount in 1987–88. The actual level of expenditure will depend upon the work programmes developed jointly by Food from Britain and the various sectors.

Baroness Elliot of Harwood

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that very encouraging reply. Are Her Majesty's Government committed to any financial provision in future for the Food from Britain campaign?

Lord Belstead

Yes, my Lords, we certainly are; £14 million is due to be spent by the end of the next financial year, 1987–88. We have promised that from then onwards for a three-year period we will put in Government money on the basis of £1 for every £2 of industry money, provided industry puts in a minimum of £3 million in any one year. The Government maximum would be £2.5 million in any one year.

Lord Gallacher

My Lords, can the noble Lord the Minister tell the House whether those bodies which engage in generic advertising, much of which is financed by commodity levies, are going to integrate their advertising programmes with Food from Britain, possibly on a co-funding basis? Is the noble Lord satisfied that liaison between these parties and Food from Britain is in all respects adequate?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, I do not know that there will be an integration of those involved in generic advertising, but I know that they will be considering contributions.

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, I should declare an interest as I am a member of the council on the executive board of Food from Britain. May I ask my noble friend whether he agrees that the ability of the individualistic factions of the industry not to make a total commitment to Food from Britain has been both irresponsible and debilitating? Does he also agree that it would be quite wrong if the council were to become a farmer-funded/farmer-managed organisation, and will he ensure that it does not happen?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, the intention of the Agriculture Bill with which your Lordships have just parted company is to increase the size of the council on which my noble friend sits so that there is representation not only of the farmers' unions but of the food manufacturers, the milk, meat and cereal sectors, and the retailers. Obviously it is our hope that money will come in from those different sectors. Perhaps I may just say that if industry plays its part, at the end of the first eight years of the Food from Britain campaign the Government will have contributed £21½ million.

Lord Mackie of Benshie

My Lords, in view of the success of raising money for Food from Britain, will the Minister reconsider the method of financing the advisory service and perhaps put it on a levy basis?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, that is an exceedingly interesting but other question.