§ Mr. QuinnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meetings he has had with representatives of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Fund. [49112]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 6 July 1998]: The Ministerial team at MAFF is aware of the good work of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), who provide financial help and advice through a confidential helpline for members of the farming community suffering hardship.
My hon. Friend the Minister of State has met representatives of the RABI during his visits to the regions, and paid a visit to the RABI stand at the Royal Show. As a result of these contacts, arrangements are in hand for posters and literature explaining the work of the RABI to be displayed in the Department's nine Regional Service Centres. The RABI has already announced it is to extend its work to include farm workers, and Ministers in this Department are keen to see that as wide a section of the farming industry as possible is aware of the RABI.