HC Deb 19 October 1992 vol 212 cc109-10W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the present proposals for reforms by the Northern Ireland milk marketing board were discussed with the European Commission; and if those proposals have the approval of the European Commission.

Mr. Hanley

The proposals for reforms from the Northern Ireland milk marketing board were sent, along with the proposals from the other United Kingdom milk marketing boards, to the European Commission in June. There have been no discussions with the Commission on the details of the Northern Ireland board's proposals. However in a letter to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Vice-President of the Commission, the right hon. Sir Leon Brittan, has said that the competition aspects of proposals presented by the Northern Ireland board do not have a real Community dimension and that the arrangements should be dealt with by the competent United Kingdom authorities.