§ Mr. Freudasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report the number of United Kingdom-based EEC export approved abattoirs, and the number in respect of which renovation grants have been approved.
§ Mr. StrangThere are 80 United Kingdom-based EEC-approved abattoirs of which 18 have been offered aid under the redmeat slaughterhouse industry scheme and a further 13 cases are under consideration.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he remains satisfied with the minimum of £25,000 below which sum renovation grants are not given to abattoirs; how such legislation helps small businesses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangThe minimum cost of £25,000 for a project to be eligible for consideration for grant under the redmeat slaughterhouse industry scheme was considered by my Department and the Department of Industry, which are jointly responsible for this scheme, to be an appropriate limit to ensure the carrying out of effective and worthwhile projects. Representations for lowering this limit have, however, recently been 535W received from the meat industry organisations, and the two Departments concerned are considering them.