HL Deb 18 July 1997 vol 581 c135WA
Lord Lucas

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they agree with the European Commission in their assessment of the deficiencies in the United Kingdom controls on beef exports; on what date they were informed of this assessment, and whether they were given the opportunity to make written representations before the European Commission made their views public.

The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Donoughue)

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given to my noble friend Lord Gregson on 17 July 1997 (Official Report, col.WA 122). The Government were not given the opportunity to make written representations to the European Commission on the latter's assessment of deficiencies in the United Kingdom controls on beef exports before they were made public.