To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will appoint a Minister in the House of Lords with sole responsibility for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. [HL4235]

Among other recent changes to the composition of the Government, I have been appointed as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in Defra. I am carrying out these duties alongside my responsibilities as the Government's Deputy Chief Whip in this House. My departmental portfolio is as follows:

all Defra business in the Lords;

deputy for the Minister of State's business;

bee and plant health;

FERA;

Agricultural Wages Board;

Gangmasters Licensing Authority;

seasonal agricultural workers scheme (SAWS); and

customer champion.