§ Mr. LintonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the European Commission in seeking to release stocks of British intervention beef for use by the armed forces. [44107]
§ Mr. SpellarI am pleased to announce that, following discussions with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Defence—taken forward by my noble Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and as a result of his Ministry's approach to the European Commission—the Commission has approved a Regulation allowing access to intervention stocks of British beef for use by the Armed Forces at competitive prices. Access to these stocks on terms agreed should allow our food supply contractor to substantially increase the amount of British beef consumed by our UK based Armed Forces.