HC Deb 05 March 1999 vol 326 cc948-9W
Mr. Moss

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many businesses in North-East Cambridgeshire were assessed by the Government to be exceptionally vulnerable to the effects of the proposed levy to fund the Food Standards Agency. [73932]

Mr. Rooker

The purpose of the current public consultation exercise is to elicit views on, among other things, the implications of the proposed levy for food businesses. My officials are also holding direct discussions with small business representatives on the proposals. We will consider carefully the likely effects of the levy on businesses in the light of the responses we receive.

Mr. Moss

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many businesses in North-East Cambridgeshire will be liable for the proposed Food Standards Agency levy, broken down by businesses employing(a) under 10 people, (b) 11 to 50 people, (c) 51 to 100 people and (d) over 101 people. [73930]

Mr. Rooker

This information is not available for the categories and area requested. The proposed levy applies to food retail and catering premises that are required to register with the local authority under the Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991, except for those on which the only food sales are wrapped confectionery, soft drinks, crisps and similar wrapped products. Each local authority is required to maintain a register of food premises in their area, covering the name, address and nature of the business, but excluding details of the number of employees. The registers are open to inspection by the public.

Mr. Moss

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the percentage of the money collected in North-East Cambridgeshire from the proposed levy to fund the Food Standards Agency will come from small businesses. [73931]

Mr. Rooker

This information is not available. The answer would in any case depend upon how one defined small businesses.

Mr. Moss

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the number of businesses in North-East Cambridgeshire which will come under regulatory control of the proposed Food Standards Agency, broken down into those which employ (a) under 10, (b) 11 to 50, (c) 51 to 100 and (d) over 101 people. [73945]

Mr. Rooker

Data on businesses are not collected for the categories and area requested. Regulatory control over most food businesses at the local level, will generally remain the responsibility of local enforcement authorities.

Mr. Moss

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the proposed levy to fund the Food Standards Agency will apply to food vendors at local markets. [73933]

Mr. Rooker

It is proposed that the levy will apply to food retail and catering premises that are required to be registered with the local authority under the terms of the Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991 (except for premises on which the only food sales are wrapped confectionery, soft drinks, crisps and similar wrapped products). This will include some food vendors at local markets.