HL Deb 23 February 1987 vol 485 cc6-7

2.50 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 progress is being made in improving the marketing of British food and drink.

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, the Government attach particular importance to this issue and Food from Britain's work in this area. Since 1983, Food from Britain has spent about £15 million in improving marketing, most of it provided by the Government. It has established the British quality foodmark scheme, which began with five products in 1985 and now covers 22. In each of the past two years, its export promotions in Benelux, France, West Germany and the USA have resulted in direct sales worth over £30 million. In 1985, total food exports to those markets increased in value by 9 per cent. compared with 1984, and in the first nine months of 1986 by 5 per cent. compared with the first nine months of 1985.

Baroness Elliot of Harwood

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that admirable Answer. I am delighted that things are going so well because this is one of the most important subjects that one can think of. The over-production from which the agricultural industry is suffering can only be dealt with by finding more consumers and more markets. Therefore I hope that the Government will continue to encourage every kind of selling operation which would help the industry.

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I should very much like to thank the noble Baroness, Lady Elliot, for her very useful comments on something which the Government consider to be a success.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, can my noble friend confirm that one export within the category of this Question which requires absolutely no promotion or pushing is Scotch whisky?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Boyd-Carpenter, for his question. The fact is that this year Scotch whisky exports will exceed £1,000 million; and, as he rightly points out, it is not an area where the Government need to give assistance as regards marketing.

Lord Strabolgi

My Lords, following the question of the noble Lord, Lord Boyd-Carpenter, is the noble Lord aware that the marketing of Scotch whisky in Japan is experiencing very great difficulties owing to the extremely high import tariffs imposed by the Japanese? Are the Government doing anything about this?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I am going to have to write to the noble Lord on that question.

Lord Gallacher

My Lords, as marketing is at the heart of this Question, can the noble Lord say whether the Government are satisfied that major British food retailers are adequately represented on the council of Food from Britain?

Lord Hesketh

So far as I am aware, yes, my Lords.

Lord Lloyd of Kilgerran

My Lords, can the noble Lord the Minister give assurances that the problems involved in the marketing of Welsh lamb in France have now been completely overcome?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I am not aware that there is a problem now.