§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what conditions intervention butter is sold or given to the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerIntervention butter was available to non-profit-making organisations, including the National Health Service, at subsidised prices until July 1988 when the relevant Community regulation was suspended. The NHS continues, however, to make use of supplies of subsidised butter from the open market under EC rules which allow for a subsidy of £1,065/tonne (compared to the current market price of around £2,000/tonne).