§ The Earl of Swintonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied that the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation is able to offer the full range of financial services required by the agricultural industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation presently operates within statutory constraints which limit the range of financial services that it can offer. The Government believe that the time has come to review the position of the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation to take account of moves to complete the EC internal market by 1992, and the changing circumstances and needs of the agricultural industry. My honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is therefore starting a process of consultation in order to identify what, if any, changes in present legislation might be desirable.