§ 11. Mr. CarringtonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will support the Fresh Produce Consortium's study into the working of the wholesale market.
§ Mr. JackI can confirm that we are already giving active support to this study by means of a £10,000 grant towards the cost of the Fresh Produce Consortium study into the future of the wholesale markets.
§ Mr. CarringtonDoes my hon. Friend agree that the wholesale markets play a vital role in ensuring low prices for the consumer in fresh produce? Is my hon. Friend concerned about the efficiency of those markets? Will he ensure that they get all the assistance necessary to improve the way in which they operate for the benefit of the consumer?
§ Mr. JackI thank my hon. Friend for his welcome, and there is universal welcome throughout the House for a question on wholesale markets. I can assure him that the study is designed to look at matters of operation and location of wholesale markets to ensure that, in future, they can serve those who put something like 40 per cent. of Britain's horticultural products on to the market through that vital outlet.
§ Mr. O'HaraDoes the Minister agree that a product such as bovine somatotropin, which has satisfied all the criteria of quality, effectiveness and safety to the full satisfaction—
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. I think that the hon. Gentleman is referring to question No. 10. This question is about the Fresh Produce Consortium's study.