§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that at the festival of food and farming to be held in Hyde park on 4–7 May English food and the produce of English farming are both on display and available for purchase;
(2)when his Department was advised of the forthcoming festival of food and farming to be held in Hyde park on 4 to 7 May;
(3)in view of the cost of producing English wine, whether he will ensure that charging is permitted for samples of English wine at the festival of food and farming to be held in Hyde park from 4 to 7 May;
(4)what steps he is taking to ensure that at the festival of food and farming to be held in Hyde park on 4 to 7 May English wine will be both on display and available for purchase.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Department was first approached about this event in March 1986. Approval for it to be held in Hyde park was given on 6 May 1988. Exhibitors may display and sell a range of agricultural goods, including food. Exhibitors may display English wine and take orders for later delivery or collection. They may also give away small free samples. I have accepted the advice of the Metropolitan police that alcohol should not be on direct sale to the public on site.