HC Deb 01 November 1934 vol 293 cc353-4
68. Mr. HANNON

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement indicating the measure of success which has attended the operations of the Milk Marketing Board?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)

In accordance with Section 10 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, and I will lay before Parliament, before the end of this year, a report upon the operation of the agricultural marketing schemes in force during the current year. In the circumstances I hope that my hon. Friend will not press, at the present time, for a separate statement upon the operation of the Milk Marketing Scheme.

Mr. HANNON

I am very much obliged to my right hon. Friend. Will he indicate when it will be possible to make this general report on the marketing schemes?

Mr. ELLIOT

I think towards the end of December.

Mr. THORNE

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is taking notice of some of the decisions of the courts on the Milk Marketing Board?

74. Mr. HALL-CAINE

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many trials for infringement of the Milk Marketing Scheme have been carried out since the inception of the scheme; whether these trials were carried out in secret, or in public; and whether, in view of the undesirability of continuing trials of a secret nature in this connection, he will take steps to arrange for the alteration of the marketing scheme in this respect?

Mr. ELLIOT

I understand that pursuant to the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, 520 cases of alleged infringement of the Milk Marketing Scheme have come before the Milk Marketing Board since the inception of the scheme. While it has not been the practice of the board to sit in public when dealing with these cases, I am informed that they have never refused admission to any member of the public who desired to be present. The board have further informed me that an application has been received from representatives of the Press to attend a meeting of the board to be held to-day to consider some such cases and that arrangements have been made for them to be present.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House the aggregate costs imposed upon the 500 persons who have been brought before the Board?

Mr. ELLIOT

No, Sir; the Act which my hon. Friend helped to put through the House does not make provision for that information to be collected.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that persons are invited to attend before the Board whether they are residing in Yorkshire or Northumberland? That is the only opportunity they have of submitting their own cases, and will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Board so that, instead of these persons being invited to attend in London, there may be regional courts where cases can be dealt with?

Mr. ELLIOT

No doubt certain alterations may very properly be made in these arrangements. I have no doubt that questions such as my hon. Friend has asked will bring this matter to the notice of the Milk Marketing Board.