HC Deb 31 March 1993 vol 222 cc245-6W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to change the status of Dairy Crest to a private limited company; if he will allow it to have access to outside equity; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Curry

Dairy Crest Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the England and Wales milk marketing board. The Agriculture Bill would enable the board to apply to Ministers for approval of formal proposals for the future ownership of its assets. The board currently intends that Dairy Crest should be established as an independent company listed on the stock exchange. This would enable it to raise equity capital.

Mr. Curry

The information for MAFF and its executive agencies is as follows: