To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the purpose of the EEC directive on the harmonising of slaughterhouse charges in the EEC; what will be the consequence of the proposals for British slaughterhouse charges; whether Her Majesty's Government treat this proposal as falling to be considered under the Single European Act by majority vote; and if he will make a statement.

The purpose of the proposals for harmonising hygiene and inspection charges in slaughterhouses is to remove distortions to competition. As put to the Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting on 19 April the proposals were unacceptable to the United Kingdom and I succeeded in persuading the Council that the proposals needed further consideration. The proposals do fall to be determined by qualified majority, but that has nothing to do with changes arising from the Single European Act.