---

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer

Dr. Tony Wright: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the executive non- departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department (a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings, (b) hold public meetings, (c) have lay or consumer representatives on their boards and (d) operate some form of appeal or complaints procedure; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69981] Mr. Morley: There is no statutory requirement for any of the executive non-departmental public bodies to (a) admit members of the public to all board and committee meetings (b) hold public meetings or (d) operate a form of complaints procedure. (a) The British Potato Council invites the NFU and other bodies to committee meetings. Some meetings of Regional Flood Defence Committees are open to the public. The Horticultural Development Council admits the public to its AGM. (b) The following hold public meetings: British Potato Council Horticultural Development Council Meat and Livestock Commission Milk Development Council Sea Fish Industry Authority Regional Flood Defence Committees Horticulture Research International holds numerous open days and offer numerous events and activities. (c) There is a statutory requirement to have lay or consumer representation on: Apple and Pear Research Council British Potato Council Horticultural Development Council Meat and Livestock Commission Milk Development Council Sea Fish Industry Authority (d) The following operate a complaints procedure: Apple and Pear Research Council Food from Britain Council Home Grown Cereals Authority Horticultural Development Council Meat and Livestock Commission Milk Development Council Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Sea Fish Industry Authority.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

326 c907W; 69981

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Complaints Disclosure of information Freedom of information Government departments Public meetings Non-departmental public bodies Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food