§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions(a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) his Department have had with the Ministry of Defence about the supply of British (i) beef and (ii) lamb to HM Forces; and if he will make a statement. [28260]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 6 February 1998]: My right. hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food spoke to the Secretary of State for Defence late last year about the purchases of British beef by the armed forces. This conversation has been followed up in correspondence and in discussions between my noble 608W Friend Lord Donoughue and the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my learned Friend the Member for Warley (Mr. Spellar). Since this Government took office, there have been no discussions between the two Departments at official level on this issue. Since the primary requirement of the Ministry of Defence is for frozen beef and we have significant stocks in UK intervention stores, discussion has focused on the supply of intervention beef rather than that of beef from the open market. As yet we have not discussed the purchase of lamb.
We all have to recognise, however, that Public Bodies are generally required to look for best value for money in making their procurement decisions. Furthermore, we are required to note that it would contravene the Treaty of Rome to operate a "Buy British" policy. Nevertheless we shall continue to explore ways in which the volume of British beef purchased might be increased.