§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions were held with the major supermarkets about the principle of a flat rate levy for the Food Standards Agency before publication of the consultation paper, "Proposals for a Levy Scheme". [68973]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 2 February 1999]: No such discussions were held.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the total cost of the proposed levy to fund the Food Standards Agency on(a) the charitable, (b) the voluntary and (c) other not-for-profit sectors. [68974]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 2 February 1999]: The data are not available to make estimates of the number of food premises falling in these categories. The purpose of the public consultation exercise is to invite views on the proposals, including those from the sectors affected.