§ Mr. HeppellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food during what hours Ministry officials were in attendance for the transport of mink on 22 December 1998 from Ponteland to Devon; and what charges were levied for their attendance. [68145]
§ Mr. MorleyOfficials attended the mink at Ponteland on 21 December from 9.45 am to 11.00 am and from 12.30 pm up till their departure at 1.45 pm the same day. Officials also met the mink on arrival at the premises288W of destination at 11.55 pm, inspecting them for about 45 minutes. A further inspection was carried out at 1 pm the following afternoon (22 December). The work is not chargeable. Under the arrangements for licensing mink farms, the premises of destination are regarded as being in Cornwall.
§ Mr. HeppellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how long the mink transported on 22 December 1998 from the mink factory farm at Ponteland remained in the lorry which transported them. [68144]
§ Mr. MorleyThe journey was on 21 December. The time from loading the first mink at Ponteland to unloading the last animal at the premises of destination was 19 hours. The animals had access to water in each compartment and food was also carried in case of delay.