§ Mr. Michael BrownTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when there is to be a further distribution of European Community surplus food; if applications will be invited from old people's welfare groups, charities and similar bodies to distribute the food; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RyderWhen the EC surplus food scheme was introduced in 1988 certain charitable and non-profit making organisations were designated to operate the scheme both in 1988 and in 1989. My officials have recently consulted these organisations about the quantities of beef and butter they wish to distribute in 1989 and are currently considering each bid against the United Kingdom's budget of about £14.8 million to operate the scheme in 1989. We expect to be contacting designated organisations again shortly with details of their allocations. Once tendering, processing and packaging arrangements have then been made, produce will be made available for distribution.