§ Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action his Department is taking to promote Scottish food and drink, both in the United Kingdom and abroad; and whether he has any plans to help fund a body similar to Scottish Food Promotions Ltd.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythGovernment support for the industry's marketing of food and drink is provided through Food From Britain, which is accountable to all four Agriculture Ministers. In Scotland, additional public support is provided by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The Scottish Office provides specific forms of assistance for exporters and is supporting the National Farmers Union of Scotland's plans for comprehensive quality assurance systems on farms. Since the closure of Scottish Food Promotion, SE and HIE have commissioned Trade Promotions (Scotland) Ltd. to arrange a Scottish presence at major trade fairs. There are no plans to set up another company to perform other functions of SFP.