42. Mr. THOMAS HENDERSONasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give a list of the people who were called as witnesses by the Committee on Agricultural Credit, with the organisations they represent; and whether co-operative banking and trade organisations were invited to give evidence?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir Robert Sanders)The answer to the second part of the question is, I understand, in the negative, The hon. Member will appreciate that the Committee to which he refers was not a Departmental Committee but a Sub-Committee of the Cabinet. The proceedings were, therefore, both confidential and informal, and I am not prepared to create a precedent by publishing the names of witnesses from whom evidence was heard or who were consulted privately by the Cabinet Sub-Committee in the course of their deliberations.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs Parliament going to be asked to adjudicate on the Report of this Committee and be kept in the dark as to the witnesses and evidence submitted on co-operative credit matters, whilst you entirely ignore the co-operative movement?
§ Sir R. SANDERSI do not think we are keeping them in the dark.
§ 78. Brigadier-General SPEARSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government has accepted the recommendations of the Committee on Agricultural Credits; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to implement these recommendations?
§ Sir R. SANDERSA Bill is being drafted on the lines of the recommendations of the Committee, and will be considered by the Government as soon as it is completed, with a view to presentation to the House.
§ Sir R. SANDERSI think it includes Scotland.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERMay I ask the Prime Minister whether the Government are going to present this Bill for agricultural credits without letting the House be aware of the evidence of the witnesses called by the Committee making the recommendations?
§ Sir R. SANDERSYes, Sir, that is quite in accordance with precedent.