HC Deb 14 April 1932 vol 264 cc989-90
57. Mr. BURNETT

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether and, if so, when it is proposed to publish the evidence taken by the Second Inter-Departmental Committee on the marking and grading of beef?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I am afraid I am not in a position to publish the evidence referred to. Much of it relates to the experience of private traders, and some of it was given under a promise of confidence, and for this reason the Committee, as started in paragraph 2 of their report (Cmd. 4047), felt they were unable to disclose it.

Mr. BURNETT

Does my right hon. Friend think it fair to the other parties that private traders should he able to give their evidence under the promise that it will be treated as confidential?