Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much British beef has been bought into intervention since 1 March 1996; and what has been the Total cost to public funds. [15477]
§ Mr. BaldrySince 1 March 1996, the amount of beef taken into intervention and paid for in the UK is 70,107 tonnes at a cost to public funds of £128 million. In addition, contracts have been awarded for a further 8,036 tonnes of beef only some of which has been delivered to store and none of which is yet due for payment.