§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the review of the Meat Inspection Service will publish the representations submitted by the meat industry.[83248]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 4 May 1999]: As is our normal practice, any responses received as a result of consulting the meat industry during the review of meat inspection charges announced by my right hon. Friend on 21 April 1999, Official Report, column 993, will be made publicly available, except for any material identified as commercially confidential.
§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the final report and recommendations and the decisions on meat inspection charges will be published in full.[83250]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 4 May 1999]: The Government's decisions on these matters will be made public in due course.
§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the terms of reference of the review of meat inspection charges. [83251]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 4 May 1999]: As announced by my right hon. Friend on 21 April 1999, Official Report, column 993, the review will undertake a close examination of the dynamics of the slaughtering sector, of the impact of all proposed charges on abattoirs and on producers, as well as looking at the EC legislation and the way in which inspections are to be carried out, to ensure that, when charges are set, the costs are as low as possible consistent with maintaining public safety and honouring our obligations under EU law.
§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he has made for consultations with the meat industry during the review of meat inspection charges.[83252]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 4 May 1999]: A consultation letter was sent to representative bodies, including those for the meat industry, on 7 May, seeking their views and input to the study. Replies have been requested by noon on 17 May. Copies of the letter have been placed in the Library of the House, and it is also available on the MAFF Internet site.
§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the official status of the review of meat inspection charges; [83325]
(2) who will chair the review of meat inspection charges. [83326]
130W
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 5 May 1999]: The review will be conducted by my officials, working closely with the other Agriculture Departments, the Treasury and the Cabinet Office, who, in line with normal practice, will be co-ordinating the work.