HC Deb 14 December 1993 vol 234 cc595-6W
Mrs. Peacock

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make it her policy not to allow Milk Marque to retain responsibility for national milk records, animal health data and livestock improvements.

Mr. Jack

The Milk Marketing Board's reorganisation scheme contains the board's proposals for the transfer of certain of its assets to Milk Marque. My right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Wales have yet to decide whether to approve the reorganisation scheme under the terms of the Agriculture Act 1993.

Mrs. Peacock

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will direct the Milk Marketing Board forthwith to cease to use its funds and staff and those of its subsidiaries to recruit members for Milk Marque.

Mr. Jack

My right hon. Friend has no powers so to direct.

Mrs. Peacock

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will provide an estimate of the funds and total staff time of both the Milk Marketing Board and its subsidiary organisations which have been employed on touring farms to recruit milk producers as members of its successor, Milk Marque.

Mr. Jack

I have no basis on which to make such an estimate.

Mrs. Peacock

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much of milk producers' assets vested in the Milk Marketing Board have so far been expended by the Milk Marketing Board in establishing Milk Marque; and with those permission these funds have been employed.

Mr. Jack

The EC Commission has approved, as a state aid, expenditure by the Milk Marketing Board on the establishment and promotion of Milk Marque totalling about £1.5 million.