§ Lord Sandysasked Her Majesty's Government:
What unpublished instructions were issued to members of the Dairy Produce Quota Tribunal for England and Wales on how they should decide quota awards; and whether they will make a statement.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)The tribunal was authorised by the Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 1984 to issue general guidance to local panels in England and Wales in respect of the criteria to be used by them in determining proceedings before them. This general guidance was published. In addition, the chairman of the tribunal, Lord Grantchester, issued a number of notes to members of the tribunal advising them on certain aspects of their work.
In accordance with normal practice, these notes, which were concerned mainly with administrative matters, have not been published. However my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is aware that there has been concern about one particular note, which was issued on 24th November 1984 and which gave guidance on the calculation of yields to be taken into account in dealing with development claims. The purpose of this note was to ensure consistency between tribunal decisions and fairness to producers. In view of the widespread interest in this particular note, with Lord Grantchester's agreement, copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.