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Mr. Soames : The Mink (Keeping) Regulations 1975, as amended, as currently applied by the Mink (Keeping) Order 1987, require that no mink shall be transported from place to place except in closed cages or other containers constructed in such a manner and of such materials as to prevent their escape.

Horses (Export)

Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the export and transit of horses next to be discussed in the EC Agriculture Ministers' Committee ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Soames : Directive 91/628 provides for national safeguards to remain applicable until the Council decides what additional safeguards are necessary. No timetable has been set for a return to the subject.

Intervention Board Mr. Redmond : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 4 November, Official Report, columns 283-86, if he will list by name and location the company that the chief executive of the Intervention Board visited on his fact-finding visit in respect of deboning beef for intervention storage ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer : Since this question concerns a matter which is the direct responsibility of the chief executive of the Intervention Board Executive Agency, I am asking him to write directly to the hon. Member.

Letter from Guy Stapleton to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 December 1992 :

You asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, following his Answer of 4 November reported in Hansard at columns 283-6, whether he would list by name and location the deboning company I included in my previous letter to you as one of my fact-finding visits. As this is a matter within the operational responsibility of this Agency, the Minister has asked me to reply to you direct.

The company was Barretts & Baird of West Bromwich.

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