HC Deb 16 October 1995 vol 264 cc118-9W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many applications have been received under the EC surplus food scheme in each of the last five years by region; how many were(a) accepted and (b) rejected by the Intervention Board; and if he will make a statement; [34733]

(2) how many applications have been received by his Ministry under the European Community surplus food scheme; what was the number, by category for each of the last five years; how many applications for each category were turned down; and if he will make a statement. [34734]

Mr. Baldry

The number of applications received by the Intervention Board, acting on behalf of the four agricultural Departments which are responsible for the designation process, in each of the last three financial years, is as follows:

1992–93 1993–94 1994–95
England 1,050 816 899
Northern Ireland 86 66 50
Scotland 272 235 168
Wales 95 78 86

The number of organisations designated by the Agriculture Departments was as follows:

1992–93 1993–94 1994–95
England 948 713 669
Northern Ireland 82 62 36
Scotland 256 213 151
Wales 81 64 80

The number of unsuccessful applications was as follows:

1992–93 1993–94 1994–95
England 102 103 230
Northern Ireland 4 4 14
Scotland 16 22 17
Wales 14 14 6

These figures include applications received after the closing date or withdrawn, and those rejected because the applicant did not fulfil the conditions of the scheme or planned to operate in an area covered by a more suitable organisation.

A list of organisations designated in England in 1994, by region, has been placed in the Library.

Information on applications prior to 1992–93 and further breakdown by geographical regions or type of organisation could be provided only at disproportionate cost.