§ LORD VIVIANMy 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 what tonnage of Argentine beef was unloaded in England during the week commencing Monday, November 25, and what tonnage was unloaded for the week commencing Monday, December 2.
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, it is understood from trade sources that 2,050 tons of Argentine beef were unloaded during the week commencing November 25, and 1,780 tons during the week commencing December 2.
§ LORD VIVIANMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord, Lord Beswick, for the figures he has given, may I ask him what checks Her Majesty's Government are making to ensure that none of this beef is imported from anywhere near an area in the Argentine which is affected by foot-and-mouth disease?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, as the noble Lord will know, all beef from the Argentine is imported only under the Bledisloe Agreement, which means that the imports are restricted to beef from disease-free herds. There are inspectors acting on our behalf in the Argentine to see that this Agreement is complied with.
§ LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORDMy Lords, in view of the continuing anxiety regarding imports of any beef from the Argentine, could the noble Lord tell us whether the Northumberland Committee are likely to make an early or interim Report as a result of their investigation into the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I understand that the Committee will be making a first Report in the early spring. What will be in the Report is a matter for the Committee, but I shall be surprised if it does not cover this aspect of the matter.