§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's response to the European Commission's recent questionnaire on the draft directive on quick frozen foods; and if he will make a statement on his Department's assessment as to the likely financial effect of these proposals on both retailers and consumers.
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§ Mr. Donald ThompsonMy Department has received no questionnaire from the European Commission on the draft directive on quick frozen foods, although I understand that such a questionnaire has been sent to certain non-Governmental Community bodies with an interest in the proposed directive. As the retail provisions of this directive have not yet been agreed I am unable to make an assessment of financial effects on retailers and consumers. My officials continue to make clear in negotiations in Brussels the United Kingdom's opposition to the unduly stringent provisions of the directive in its proposed form.