§ Mr. Bradleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has reviewed the basis on which wholesale horticultural markets are selected for grant under Section 10 of the Agriculture and Horticulture Act, 1964; and whether the proposed new market at Leicester will qualify.
§ Mr. PeartMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have decided to make a change in the basis on which wholesale horticultural markets are selected for grant under Section 10 of the Agriculture and Horticulture Act, 1964.
In deciding whether a wholesale market is, or is likely to become, of major importance in the national system of distribution of horticultural produce, my right hon. Friend and I are required to have regard to the volume of business transacted or expected to be transacted in that market. Hitherto the working definition has been a minimum actual or potential throughput of £5 million a year. After further consideration of all the information now available my right hon. Friend and I have concluded that this minimum is too high and have accordingly decided to regard a market as being of major importance if it has an actual, or potential, throughput of at least £4 million a year. The proposed new market at Leicester satisfies this criterion and is prima facie eligible for grant.