§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average period being taken by the intervention board to process the leasing of milk quotas and to inform Milk Marque of the transfer. [15935]
§ Mr. JackThe leasing period for the 1994–95 milk quotas year during which our target was to process acceptable leases within 14 days of their receipt ended on 31 December 1994. Processing of acceptable leases was completed some weeks ago. The only leases now being processed are those with queries which are being processed as soon as they have been resolved. As they are cleared individually there are no statistics showing average clearance rates. Milk Marque, and other milk purchasers, are informed on a weekly basis of all changes in the quota registered with them confirmed in the preceding week.