§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether tenders for either(a) the packaging or (b) the transportation of surplus European Economic Community food have yet been issued; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe arrangements for the provision of beef and butter stocks for distribution to the most needy require designated organisations to invite tenders for processing or packaging and to make the necessary arrangements for transportation. A number have already done so. Others are grouping together in order to minimise costs. Group tenders for the packaging of butter and butter oil have been invited and are awaited. An invitation to tender for beef will be issued shortly. I understand that the first distributions to eligible beneficiaries are likely to take place towards the end of this month.