§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the money allocated for his food safety directorate in(a) 1989–90 and (b) 1990–91.
§ Mr. GummerNot all the areas of the Ministry's work that constitute the new food safety directorate are currently subject to decentralised budgetary control for running costs and capital expenditure. Accordingly, there is no readily available estimate of the budgeted costs for this work in 1989–90. For 1990–91, the directorate as a whole will be subject to decentralised budgetary control for running costs and capital expenditure. Budget allocations for 1990–91 remain to be decided. Subject to the outcome of the current public expenditure survey we are planning significant increases in staffing for a number of areas of the directorate's work.
Dr. David ClarkeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date he expects his food safety directorate to start operating.
§ Mr. GummerThe new food safety directorate will be in full operation by 20 November. I am proceeding to establish the new consumer panel as quickly as possible.