§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will give details, for each of the years 1979–80 to 1989–90, of losses from the strategic food stocks due to damage and contamination in terms of(a) type of food lost, (b) quantity of food lost, (c) value of food lost and (d) cause of loss;
(2) what steps are being taken to prevent losses to strategic food stocks caused by deficiencies in storage arrangement.
§ Mr. MacleanStrategic food stocks are kept under regular surveillance by scientific and other staff and remedial action taken as appropriate to ensure the quality and condition is maintained. The average annual losses during the period 1979–80 and 1989–90 of all stocks, including the inevitable deterioration of stocks at the end of their storage life, is less than 0.1 per cent. of the total stock and is valued at less than £100,000 per annum at present-day replacement costs.