§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what consultation she has had with the chairman of the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce in relation to the issuing of banana import licences in the present year; and if she will make a statement;
(2) what consultation she has had with representatives of the banana importing trade in relation to potential conflict of interest between the functions of the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce in issuing licences for import of bananas and the position of the chairman of the board being also chairman and chief executive of Fyffes.
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 26 November 1993]: When the EC banana regime was established, arrangements were put in place to avoid the possibility of any conflict of interest arising from the chairman of the Intervention Board also being chairman and chief executive of Fyffes. The chairman is not, in any case, involved in the day-to-day running of the agency. The board's officials have issued licences to import bananas into the European Community in the present year entirely in accordance with the provisions of Council Regulation 404/93 and Commission Regulations 1442/93 and 1443/93 with this in mind, my right hon. Friend has had no need for consultations with the chairman of the board, nor with representatives of the banana importing trade on this matter.