Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of the Morrisons by US private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice on food security.

Defra has no reason to believe this takeover will affect food security. Defra has extensive, regular and ongoing engagement with retailers in preparedness for, and response to, risks to food supply chains that may arise.

The Government has published plans to require higher standards of transparency and oversight in the largest private companies in the UK – recognising how important they are to their staff and suppliers.