HC Deb 09 March 1994 vol 239 c280W
Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when she will consult on the Milk Marketing Board's amended scheme for reorganisation.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

I and the Secretary of State for Wales have today invited comments from interested parties in England and Wales on the amended reorganisation scheme now before us.

The Milk Marketing Board has made a number of changes to the reorganisation scheme on which we consulted last October. The MMB now proposes a vesting day of 1 November 1994. Its new proposals also include the establishment of Genus as an independent company, with shares issued to eligible registered producers, and the retention of national milk records by the residuary Milk Marketing Board, which would determine its future ownership. The scheme continues to provide for the flotation of Dairy Crest and the issue to eligible producers of shares in Dairy Crest and certificates of entitlement in Milk Marque.

We have asked to receive comments by 8 April.

Copies of our consultation document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament and will be available for inspection at the Ministry's regional service centres and Welsh Office divisional offices.