§ 2.36 p.m.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the exchanges of view between the National Farmers' Union and the Ministry of Agriculture, referred to on November 27 last, concerned meat supplies only and, if not, what other items were included.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (LORD ST. OSWALD)My Lords, they concerned meat prices mainly, and to a lesser extent, bread and flour prices. The information requested for bread and flour was relatively straightforward and has been supplied in a modified form. The request for meat price statistics is still being considered. As I informed your Lordships' House on December 11, it presents many difficulties.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, we all enjoyed the noble Lord's reply on December 11. but, in view of what he has told us this afternoon, might I ask him whether the information which has been made available could be made available to the public, perhaps in a simplified form so that it could be easily understood?
LORD ST. OSWALDMy Lords, is the noble Lady referring precisely to this information which has been made available, or to the possibility of making the information continuously available? That is what I should like to know, because it makes a difference.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that I should like both, and I would start with whichever would get an affirmative answer?
LORD ST. OSWALDMy Lords, I am happy to give the noble Lady an affirmative answer on the first, anyway, and we shall perhaps see later about the second.