Meat and Livestock Commission (Levy)

HC Deb 04 August 1971 vol 822 c335W

Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been the annual receipts of the Meat and Livestock Commission levy since its inception; what is the present number of civil servants engaged in its administration; and what are his proposals to amend or abolish the levy in view of the recent representations by the Chairman of the Fatstock Marketing Corporation Limited.

Mr. Prior

The Meat and Livestock Commission's levy receipts in each financial year since its inception have been as follows:

• 1st October, 1967–30th September, 1968— Nil.
• 1st October, 1968–30th September, 1969—£1,822,186.
• 1st October, 1969–30th September, 1970—£1,903,091.

No civil servants are engaged in the administration of the M.L.C. or its levy.

I have no proposals to abolish or amend the levy scheme. I consider that the Meat and Livestock Commission has a useful rôle to play and that it is appropriate that it should be largely financed by the industry.