HC Deb 26 March 1990 vol 170 c52W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the quantities and types of food which are stockpiled as part of his emergency planning procedures.

Mr. Gummer

The strategic food stockpile contains flour, sugar, refined fat, yeast, special formulation biscuits, sweets and vitaminised skimmed milk powder, chosen for their value as sources of energy and nutrition for use in time of war or severe national crisis. It has been the policy of successive Governments not to reveal detailed information on the level and locations of the stockpile.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the aims of the Institute of Grocery Distribution study on identifying major food stocks for defence planning.

Mr. Gummer

The aim of this study is to provide my Department with up-to-date information on food stocks and patterns of food distribution for contingency planning purposes.