§ Mr. RookerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on arrangements for distribution by the voluntary sector of surplus EC food to the elderly and disadvantaged. [31561]
§ Mr. BaldryThe EC surplus food scheme was originally established as a temporary measure to dispose of certain intervention stocks when these were high. Last November my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced, as part of the Government's expenditure plans, that the UK would permanently withdraw from participation, in line with the recommendations of the Ministry's fundamental expenditure review. That decision, among others, has enabled the Ministry to contribute fully to the Government's policy of maintaining a tight control of public expenditure.