HC Deb 23 April 1987 vol 114 cc690-1W
15. Mr. Alex Carlile

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received on the operation in the United Kingdom of the European Community food aid scheme for the needy.

Mr. Gummer

I have received a number of letters from hon. Members, Members of the European Parliament and others about particular aspects of the scheme, which has now ended. Replies are being sent in the usual way.

16. Mr. Cunliffe

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to which local authorities have been involved in the distribution of European Economic Community free food.

Mr. Gummer

I know from correspondence received in my Department that a number of local authorities have been involved in various ways in these distributions. However comprehensive information has not been compiled.

24. Mr. Rogers

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food if there are any plans for the extension or repetition of the European Economic Community food aid scheme.

Mr. Gummer

The scheme came to an end in the United Kingdom at the end of March. Any repetition of the scheme would be a matter for the Commission: I know of no proposal at present.

26. Mr. Corbett

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the amount of surplus European Economic Community butter, cheese and beef distributed to people entitled to receive it in Birmingham.

Mr. Gummer

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 11 March to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field).

33. Mr. Allen McKay

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest information as to how many individuals have received free food under the European Economic Community food aid scheme.

Mr. Gummer

I do not have this information.

41. Mr. Sean Hughes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his most recent information as to the amounts of cereal products distributed under the European Economic Community food aid scheme in the United Kingdom and other European Economic Community countries.

Mr. Gummer

No cereal products were distributed in the United Kingdom under this scheme. The United Kingdom had no intervention stocks of milling wheat. Provisional information from the European Commission indicates deliveries in other member states totalling 11,680 tonnes of flour and 2,400 tonnes of semolina.

45. Mr. Cartwright

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the operation in the United Kingdom of the European Community food aid scheme for the needy.

Mr. Gummer

I have nothing to add to earlier statements on the operation of this scheme, which came to an end in the United Kingdom at the end of March.