§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the value of grain held currently in intervention stocks in the United Kingdom; how many companies are holding such stock; and what monitoring there is to ensure that there is no misappropriation of the stock.
Mr. GlimmerBased on the buying-in price then current, the value of United Kingdom stocks of intervention grain on 17 October 1986, the latest date for which figures are available, was £520 million, of which grain to the value of £479 million was held in commercial stores by 90 companies, the balance in Government-owned stores. The quality and quantity of the stock is monitored by regular visits by the board's agents, the Home Grown Cereals Authority, and by an annual volumetric stocktaking.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) on how many occasions companies involved in holding intervention stocks of agricultural produce have been found to be in financial difficulties; how many have 418W gone into liquidation or are threatened with it; and if he will name the companies involved and state in each case the action taken by officials to safeguard public money and the amount of public money that has been or is likely to be lost as a result of the liquidations that have taken or are likely to take place;
(2) if he will make a statement on the extent of public involvement with the company Trent Grain which holds intervention stocks of agricultural produce, stating (a) whether any public money is likely to be lost, (b) whether there is evidence of any stock loss, (c) when officials first appreciated the nature of the firm's problems, (d) what action was subsequently taken to limit the extent of possible public financial loss and (e) whether officials studied the company reports of the last three years.
§ Mr. GummerI shall reply to the right hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report details of the financial monitoring arrangements of companies holding intervention stocks of agricultural produce; how frequent and of what nature are the contacts; what financial information is requested; and at what level responsibility is taken for ensuring that all such companies being paid public money are financially stable.
§ Mr. GummerThe Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce makes use of the services of a private business reporting agency in monitoring the financial status of companies offering storage facilities. The board's professional accountants provide advice on the reports received which vary both in content and frequency according to circumstances.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many firms hold intervention stocks of agricultural produce; where they are located; what is the total annual amount paid to such companies; and what is the average amount.
§ Mr. GummerOn 30 September 1986, the latest date for which details are available, 249 companies held United Kingdom intervention stocks at the locations listed. The Intervention Board's 1986–87 Supply Estimate contains provision for about £110 million for payments to commercial storekeepers for the handling and storage of intervention produce, an average of £442,000 per company.
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Aberdeen Blackburn Abingdon Bloxwich Ahoghill Bristol Airdrie Boroughbridge Alford Bourne Ancaster Boston Annalong Braintree Antrim Bridge of Allan Arbroath Bridgwater Augher Bressingham Avonmouth Bury St. Edmunds Aylesford Buxton Ballymena Caine Banbridge Camborne Banbury Cannock Bardney Cardiff Basildon Chipping Warden Belfast Chard Belford Chester Bellshill Christchurch Bicester Cleveland Billingham Clopston Bishop's Stortford Cockermouth 420W
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St. Clears Torrington St. Helens Towcester St. Ives Tranent Salisbury Turiff Scunthorpe Truro Sevenoaks Tuxford Sheffield Ulcaby Sherborne Uttoxeter Shrewsbury Walsall Skegness Walsingham Sleaford Warrington Sherpness Warwick Snetterton Watford Soham Wednesbury Southampton Wellingborough South Wigston Wellington Staughton Wells Stoke Ferry Westbury Stourport West Bromwich Stourmarket West Hallam Strabane West Wratting Stracathro Whitchurch Stockton on Tees Whittlesford Stonehouse Whittlesey Stretham Whitland Stroud Wigan Sudbury Wigston Swaffham Wimblington Swansea Wingham Swinderby Wisbech Swindon Witham Tadcaster Witney Tamworth Wolverhampton Tangmere Woodbridge Taunton Wroughton Telford Wymeswold Thetford Yeovil Tewkesbury York