§ 62. Mr. JOHN WALLACEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the special committee of the Empire Marketing Board set up by the Ministry of Agriculture deals solely with English and Welsh produce; and whether he can explain why Scottish interests are not represented in an arrangement of this nature?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE, for SCOTLAND (Major Sir Archibald Sinclair)I assume my hon. Friend refers to the Exhibitions Committee composed of representatives of the National Farmers' Union, the Food Manufacturers' Federation and other organisations, some of which cover Scotland as well as England and Wales, which was appointed to assist in the organisation of displays of home produce at Empire Marketing Board shops and in their pavilion at exhibitions. Originally, this Committee dealt with the produce of Great Britain, but latterly the Department of Agriculture for Scotland has arranged displays of Scottish produce on a separate stand. Scotland has in recent years been separately represented at such exhibitions as the Imperial Fruit Show, the British Industries Fair, International Grocers, International Bakers', and also at the Empire Marketing Board Exhibition shops at Birmingham, Blackpool and Liverpool.
§ Mr. WALLACEIs my right hon. Friend aware that the statements in the question are exactly what I meant and that the Empire Marketing Board, in a 1798 communication, have stated that this committee deals only with English and Welsh produce and has nothing to do with Scottish produce; and does he not think that that is a somewhat unfair discrimination against Scottish produce?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRI assure my hon. Friend that there is no discrimination. I think that the misunderstanding arises from the fact that the Department of Agriculture for Scotland organises Scottish displays at these exhibitions independently. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture organise separately for those parts of the country falling within their respective jurisdictions, and the Ministry of Agriculture have appointed this committee referred to in the question to function in the manner indicated in my answer and to advise them on English and Welsh matters.
§ Mr. WALLACEWill my right hon. Friend accept some proof from me, that my statement is absolutely correct?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRI shall be glad to receive any information which the hon. Member brings before me.