HC Deb 16 May 1996 vol 277 cc578-9W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many management consultancies were approached recently with a view to preparing a report on the UK beef industry. [28715]

Mrs. Browning

Coopers and Lybrand was the only organisation to be approached recently with a view to the preparation of a report on the UK slaughtering and cutting plant sectors.

Mr. Prentice

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of the Coopers and Lybrand report on the UK beef industry; who was responsible for commissioning it; and for what reasons. [28846]

Mrs. Browning

The total cost of commissioning the recent Coopers and Lybrand report of 10 April on the UK slaughtering and cutting plant sectors is approximately £203,000 excluding VAT. In accordance with the requirements of Government accounting, the non-competitively tendered contract was let with the agreement of the departmental accounting officer. The reasons for the contract were to obtain urgent analysis, advice and recommendations on:

  1. (a) whether there was a blockage of meat in abattoirs and cutting plants due to the recent and present crisis in the beef industry;
  2. (b) whether any such blockage was undermining the financial viability of enterprises that would otherwise be financially secure; and
  3. (c) to make observations on the possible justification for exceptional Government help for those affected, and whether there was some simple mechanism that could be employed to give effect to any such aid.