§ Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what consultations he has had on the report by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland entitled "The Scottish Pride Study";
(2) what steps he has taken to ensure that the commercial relationship between the Scottish Milk Marketing Board and Scottish Pride meets the requirements of European Community legislation; and if he will make a statement;
(3) when he expects to make a decision on the report by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, entitled "The Scottish Pride Study", which was placed in the Library on 18 May 1988.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland published a report on the commercial activities of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board in May 1988, investigating in particular the extent to which the activities were on an equal footing with those of the independent dairy companies, as required by European Community legislation. My noble Friend the Minister of State has since met the chairman of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board and the president of the Scottish Dairy Trade Federation to discuss the report, and officials of the Department have also held discussions with the two bodies concerned. These discussions are continuing.