§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list information available to him on the creameries closed in each year since 1984.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonMy hon. Friend will be aware that the management of creameries is a matter for the companies concerned and i do not therefore have comprehensive records. He will also be aware that these companies will take their decisions about deployment of capital on the basis of a range of factors including supplies, efficiency and market developments. It follows from this that some closures will have been part of programmes568W which include expansion at other plants or in other areas of a company's activities. The creamery closures listed need to be considered in this light.
Date Owned by Location January 1985 Dairy Crest Uttoxeter, Staffs March 1986 Dairy Crest Johnstown, Dyfed May 1986 Dairy Crest Bason Bridge, Somerset January 1987 Dairy Crest Ellesmere, Shropshire January 1987 Dairy Crest Kirby Malzeard, North Yorkshire January 1987 Dairy Crest Coverham, North Yorkshire January 1987 Unigate Wincanton, Somerset August 1987 Dairy Crest Haslington, Cheshire October 1987 Dairy Crest Wymeswold, Leicestershire