§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial contribution he has made or proposes to make towards the costs of recruiting and training poultry meat inspectors; and what funds he proposes to make available to assist in meeting costs of inspection incurred under the Poultry Meat Hygiene Regulations.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownThe Government will provide assistance towards the setting up of the local authority poultry meat inspection service which is required to be in full operation by August 1979. Grants at the rate of 50 per cent. of the eligible expenditure will be payable in respect of staff employed and trained for this purpose. The detailed arrangements will be discussed with the appropriate organisations.
Supplementary Estimates will be presented in due course.
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§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied that costs and standards of recruiting and training poultry meat inspectors and of inspection under the Poultry Meat Hygiene Regulations in Scotland will be comparable to those applying elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownTraining and recruitment courses for poultry meat inspectors are being organised to a standard format at a number of centres throughout the United Kingdom. Although there will inevitably be some variation in local costs, it is too early to make any comparison between centres. Every effort is being made to achieve uniformity in the standards of training and of inspection throughout the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has relating to financial assistance given by other EEC Governments towards the costs of inspection under the poultry meat hygiene regulations.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownOnly limited information is available on the costs of inspection in other EEC countries, hence the extent to which these costs may be assisted. It is apparent, however, that charging practices vary widely from country to country.