HL Deb 28 June 1990 vol 520 cc1797-8

8.10 p.m.

The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne rose to move, That the order laid before the House on 24th May be approved [21st Report from the Joint Committee].

The noble Earl said: My Lords, noble Lords may be aware that it was intended that the cereals order be debated with the oilseeds order last Thursday. However, as the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments was unable to report on the cereals order until this week, the debate on this order had to be deferred until today.

The instrument before us today introduces minor administrative amendments and clarifications to the existing levy on cereals, which is used to fund the activities of the Home-Grown Cereals Authority.

The 1987 Home-Grown Cereals Authority Levy Scheme provides for the raising of levies from cereals producers, dealers and processors in order to fund the authority's activities aimed at improving the production and marketing of home-grown cereals. These activities include the provision of market information, UK cereals export development, support for Food from Britain and research and development.

Parliament decided last year—in the Cereals Marketing Act (Application to Oilseeds) Order—to bring forward by a month the start of the authority's financial year so that it runs from July to June. This reflects the market year for cereals and oilseeds, which begins in July when the first barley, wheat and rapeseed is harvested, sold and therefore subject to the levy. The cereals order under discussion today amends the existing levy scheme to reflect this new financial year. The opportunity has also been taken to introduce a number of other minor administrative amendments in order to clarify the operation of the present scheme. These involve deletion of redundant provisions, simplification of definitions and clarification of the way in which the levy is collected. None of these proposed changes alters the main structure of the scheme and all have been the subject of consultations with the interested parties. I commend this statutory instrument.

Moved, That the order laid before the House on 24th May be approved [21st Report from the Joint Committed—(The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne.)

Lord Gallacher

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for explaining the order which we support. I have noted the views of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments on the order contained in its 21st report and the Minister's consequential memorandum on two provisions of the order.

The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Gallacher, for his comments. I commend the order to the House.

On Question, Motion agreed to.