HC Deb 16 December 1987 vol 124 c580W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what measurement of entitlement he expects the allocating agencies to use in the distribution of the next issue of surplus EEC food to the elderly and deprived persons in Northern Ireland;

(2) when the next issue of surplus EEC food to the elderly and deprived will take place in Northern Ireland;

(3) what agencies will be involved in the distribution of the next issue of surplus EEC food to the elderly and deprived persons in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Viggers

The Council of Agriculture Ministers at its meeting on 10–11 December approved a regulation whereby food from intervention stocks could be made available to the most deprived persons in the Community. The regulation does not place any obligation on member states to operate a free food scheme and it is still too early to say whether a scheme will be introduced in the United Kingdom.