HC Deb 04 February 1998 vol 305 cc685-6W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Parliamentary Secretary will reply to the letter of 13 October from the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border raising concerns of constituents. [27054]

Mr. Morley

Despite an exhaustive search this Department can find no record of having received a letter of 13 October from the right hon. Member. However, if the hon. Member's Office can forward a copy to mine, I will ensure it is dealt with promptly.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Parliamentary Secretary will reply to the letter of 25 September from the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border on a constituency case. [27055]

Mr. Morley

A reply to the right hon. Member's letter of 25 September has been delayed while efforts are made to find a solution to the problems experienced by his constituent, while ensuring that the Ministry meets its obligation to administer EU funded subsidy schemes in accordance with the relevant legislation. That work has yet to be completed, but my noble Friend will write within the next week to explain in greater detail where matters rest.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Minister of State will reply to the letter of 28 November from the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border on a constituency matter. [27053]

Mr. Morley

This letter—and a number of others I have received from right hon. and hon. Members—ask about the Government's attitude to near-identical Private Members" and Private Peers" Bills which have been introduced with the aim, inter alia, of banning the tail docking of piglets. The Government's attitude to such a measure was made clear in a debate in the House of Lords on 26 January: I am therefore now in a position to reply to the right hon. Gentleman's letter of 28 November and to the other letters we have received on the subject.