§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if when planning the distribution of surplus European Community beef and butter, he will make it his policy to have regard to the problems experienced at the previous distribution; and what steps he will take to improve the arrangements;
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that organisations which will be authorised to distribute European Community surplus beef and butter are better equipped than they were last time to carry out the task; and what additional help he is making available to that end.
§ Mr. Gummer[holding answer 31 March 1988: The free food scheme, which was the subject of my right hon. Friend's announcement on 12 January, is more limited than the 1987 scheme and different in form. In particular, we shall be designating organisations which are willing and capable to handling butter and beef withdrawn from intervention stores and of arranging for its distribution exclusively to eligible recipients with due safeguards against abuse or risks to health. Designated organisations will be eligible to receive contributions from Community funds for costs of administration and transport.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he is planning to distribute surplus European Community beef and butter to retirement pensioners and others in need; through which organisations he is planning to do this in Devon; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gummer[holding answer 31 March 1988: I shall be announcing the list of designated organisations as soon as possible : once designated, organisations will be entitled to withdraw butter and beef from intervention stores for distribution.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much European Community surplus beef and butter is available for distribution in the United Kingdom; and what steps he is taking to see that it is fairly distributed.
§ Mr. Gummer[holding answer 31 March 1988]: The quantities to be distributed will depend on the allocation from the Commission, on which I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 31 March at column 638, to the hon. Member for Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins). As for distribution arrangements, my right hon. Friend announced on 12 January that butter and beef would be made available on response to specific applications from suitable organisations. I shall have regard to the coverage of distribution and other factors in deciding which organisations should be designated under the scheme.