§ 128. Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what national support schemes are planned within the proposed EC potato regime.
§ Sir Hector MonroHolding answer 9 February 1993]: The current EC proposals for potatoes make no provision for the recognition or maintenance of national support measures.
856WThe EC considers that potatoes should be brought within the coverage of the CAP and that a harmonised regime is necessary for completion of the single market.
§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the operating costs of the Potato Marketing Board in each year since 1979.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 9 February 1993]: The operating costs of the Potato Marketing Board are to be found in the annual report and accounts of the board. The figures in the table, for the period 1979 to 1991, reflect the total administrative costs incurred, excluding costs of market intervention.
Administration cost £ million 1979 3.3 1980 3.9 1981 4.8 1982 5.0 1983 5.7 1984 6.0 1985 6.9 1986 7.0 1987 7.5 1988 7.8 1989 8.2 1990 6.9 1991 9.1 Source: PMB Annual report and accounts.
§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many times the Government have intervened in the potato market; and what was the tonnage and cost in each year since 1979.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 9 February 1993]: The Government do not intervene directly in the potato market but may pay a proportion of the cost of any intervention by the Potato Marketing Board under the provisions of the potato marketing scheme.
It is therefore difficult to link Government expenditure to tonnage. Since 1979 Government expenditure has been as follows:
£ million 1981 13.5 1983 0.3 1985 12.9