§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the supply of European Economic 52W Community food surpluses to pensioners and others in the Denton and Reddish constituency; and what steps he is taking to make it easier for groups to get food to distribute.
§ Mr. GummerAs I made clear in my reply on 12 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Romsey and Waterside (Mr. Colvin), the food is being made available to the most needy.
Distribution is for the charitable organisations listed in my reply on 29 January to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes). Most of these have a national coverage, and I would expect a number of them to have branches in the area named. I am aware of no complaints from the organisations about delays in obtaining release of butter and beef from intervention stores. Milk, cheese and the other milk products concerned are generally available from commercial sources.