§ 79. Mr. BLINDELLasked the Minister of Agriculture if be will state the number of agricultural organisations, representing the producers of products affected by the Agricultural Marketing Bill, which have forwarded to him resolutions in support of the Bill, giving the names of such organisations?
§ Dr. ADDISONIt is by no means the rule for agricultural associations to forward to my Department any resolutions that they may pass in favour of specific legislation and in the case of local bodies it is unusual for them to do so, but I am informed that a number of branches of the National Farmers' Union and other bodies have passed resolutions supporting the principle of the Bill.
§ Mr. BLINDELLIn view of the fact that the Department have been engaged in propaganda with regard to this Bill, did not the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that a large number of agricultural organisations would express their support of the Measure?
§ Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLANDWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the question, which is, how many have been forwarded to him?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have given the best answer I could. I can if necessary, if they will give me their permission, give names. There is a considerable number.
§ Dr. ADDISONNot the slightest, but, of course, it is not usual.