Written question asked by Christopher Gill (Conservative) on Wednesday, 13 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 December 2000. It was answered by Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 December 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will publish his response to the report of the meat inspection charges task force. - Inc figures and ref to the Rural White Paper. (Holding answer 18 December 2000).

Answer: Mr. Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish his response to the report of the meat inspection charges task force. [143177] Ms Stuart: [holding answer 18 December 2000]: Our response to the report of the Meat Inspection Charges Task Force was made on 28 November when, in the context of the publication of the Rural White Paper, it announced new additional aid worth £8.7 million in 2001-02 to offset meat inspection costs in order to secure the future of small and medium sized abattoirs. I am advised that, as a consequence, the Food Standards Agency will consult early in the new year on the secondary legislation necessary and on how it proposes to implement with effect from April 2001 the Task Force's main recommendation to change the basis of the meat inspection charges system.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 360 c145W; 143177
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Fees and charges Inspections Hygiene Government assistance Meat Slaughterhouses Meat Inspection Charges Task Force
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk