§ 58. Mr. LECKIEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to implement the report of the Milk Commission at the earliest possible date in order that the reorganisation scheme may be in working operation before negotiations commence for the renewal of milk contracts in October next?
§ Major ELLIOTIt is necessary to distinguish between those of the Milk Commission's recommendations which involve questions of policy outside the scope of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, and the milk marketing scheme, under that Act, which, in the first instance, is a matter solely for milk producers themselves. In regard to the former, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 16th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd), of which I am sending him a copy. The scheme under the Act of 1931, with but 496 few amendments, has now been formally submitted to me and I see no reason, in point of time, why it should not be in operation by the end of next September.