§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the proposed Ministry of Rural Affairs. [48793]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 3 July 1998]: The Agriculture Committee in its report of 11 December 1997 on the MAFF/Intervention Board Departmental Report 1997 recommended, among other things, that the Department be re-incarnated as a Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Fisheries. This recommendation was made in the context of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). Some external organisations have expressed views similar to those of the Committee while others have argued against the creation of a Ministry of Rural Affairs.
The Government's response to the report explained that the Committee's recommendations would be taken into account in the review group's deliberations. The outcome of the CSR has not yet been decided. Decisions about changes in the machinery of Government would ultimately be a matter for the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with Labour Rural Revival on the subject of the proposed Ministry of Rural Affairs. [48795]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 3 July 1998]: None.