§ 34. Mr. LEWISasked the Minister of Agriculture what representations he has received from the members of the Pig Industry Council which have caused him to regard their last report as confidential and to withhold it from publication?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir John Gilmour)I have received no such representations from members of the Pig Industry Council. As I explained on 14th April last in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for The Wrekin (Colonel Baldwin-Webb), reports of the council are addressed to me, and the question of publication is within my discretion.
§ Mr. LEWISIf my right hon. Friend feels that there are certain parts of the report which it would not be wise to publish, will he at any rate undertake to publish verbatim the general conclusions and recommendations of the council?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo. There is a Commission sitting and inquiring into the 884 whole subject, and the whole of this report is being submitted to them.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs there anything that would prevent the Pig Industry Council publishing their report?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes. The report cannot be published at Government expense except after consultation with myself, and with my authority.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs there anything to prevent the council making public their report without involving the State in any expense at all?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am not aware of that.