HC Deb 14 March 1985 vol 75 cc427-8
11. Mr. Maclean

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be in a position to comment on the proposed changes to the meat marketing scheme.

Mr. MacGregor

Many of the recommendations in the recent review of meat promotion — I think that this is what my hon. Friend was referring to — which was carried out for the Meat and Livestock Commission by an independent review team concern the MLC's work and organisation. These are matters for the MLC to decide. A few involve the Government's responsibilities. On these we await an approach from the MLC in the light of its consultations with the industry interests concerned.

Mr. Maclean

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Given the controversy that the Webb report has already generated, does my hon. Friend think that agreement can be reached among the meat producers and others involved in the meat industry on the next steps to be taken? If so, when?

Mr. MacGregor

I know that the commission is seized of the need to make decisions as quickly as possible. The commission is anxious and keen to carry out the consultation procedure properly, and this takes time. I hope that the various interests can reach a broad measure of agreement — I am sure that my hon. Friend is with me on that point — with the MLC on any new arrangements that would require parliamentary approval. We would need to have detailed discussion with the commission when the commission makes up its mind. I cannot, at this stage, say when that will be.

Sir Hector Monro

Does my hon. Friend agree that, in terms of meat production and consumption, it is essential that we continue with the beef premium, the suckler cow subsidy and the hill and livestock compensatory allowance, all of which are crucial to providing beef for the housewife in the short and long term?

Mr. MacGregor

As I have said to the House before, we entirely agree with my hon. Friend's point about the beef variable premium scheme. That is what we shall endeavour to achieve in the price review negotiations on which we have embarked. On the hill and livestock compensatory allowance my hon. Friend will know that we have recently completed agreement on the new structures programmes, and I see no reason why they should not continue.