asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current amount, value, and cost of storage of surplus food in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the European Economic Community.

On 31 May intervention stocks of beef, breadwheat, butter and skimmed milk powder in the United Kingdom were 332,000 tonnes valued at about £500 million using the buying-in prices valid at that date. The cost of storing and handling United Kingdom intervention stocks, including all forms of cereals, in 1984 was some £46 million. The volume of Community stocks of these products at the latest available dates was 6,905,000 tonnes, but these are only valued once a year, on 30 November. Storage and handling costs for other member states' intervention stocks are not available.