§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what basis he has calculated that the additional costs for local authorities arising from the Food Safety Bill will be £30 million; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerOfficials in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Health have held consultations with interested parties in order to assess the resources local authorities will need in order to enforce 167W the Food Safety Bill. The estimate that the additional cost for local authorities is likely to be of the order of £30 million was based on the information supplied.