HL Deb 25 April 1988 vol 496 cc5-6

2.50 p.m.

Lord Carter asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they propose to commemorate British Food and Farming Year in 1989.

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, the Government thoroughly support the objectives of British Food and Farming Year and hope that it will be successful in creating a wider understanding of the important role which the food and farming industries play in the national life. The department is represented on the organising council for the year and is closely involved with progress on what is planned. It would take me too long to list all the projects which are planned for the year, but I will willingly place a list of the main ones in the Library. In addition, the department is co-ordinating its centenary celebrations with all these activities.

Lord Carter

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. Is he aware that a substantial campaign is planned for 1989, including a three-day agricultural show in Hyde Park, which is likely to be the largest event of its kind since the Great Exhibition of 1851? Can he say what practical help the department is proposing to give to Food and Farming Year, remembering the considerable amount of government help that was given to Industry Year and to Energy Year?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Carter, is entirely right to say that it will be a major commemoration. A major two-part television documentary is to be produced by the BBC. The ministry itself will be making a grant of £50,000 directly towards it. However, I must remind your Lordships that this is essentially an industry celebration.

Lord Morris

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend when, where and in what circumstances food assumes British nationality?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I am not sure that I am entirely qualified to answer that question.

Lord John-Mackie

My Lords, I am sure that we all wish the commemoration next year the best of luck. However, there are strong rumours that the Prime Minister wants to do away with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I hope that that will not be part of the commemoration.

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, the noble Lord is obviously aware of something of which I am totally unaware.

Lord Wallace of Coslany

My Lords, is the Minister aware that one very useful thing the Government could do in that year is to bring in revised allotment legislation based on the Thorpe Report? If the Minister does not know what the Thorpe Report is, I have a copy and advise him to read it.

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I fear that that may be too specialised a question, but if the noble Lord wishes to put down a Question on that subject I shall be more than happy to answer it.