§ 26. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Agriculture what action is to be taken in view of the interdict action in the High Court, Edinburgh, in regard to the potato marketing plan under the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1930; if he still intends to proceed with the negotiations to apply the marketing plan to this year's crops; and, if not, will the scheme be proceeded with with a view to its adoption for next year?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)The effect of the proceedings in the Scottish Courts was that an interim writ of interdict was first granted and then recalled on an undertaking given on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland that he would not lay, or consent to the laying, of the scheme before Parliament without giving the complainers an opportunity of renewing their application to the courts. That undertaking has now been fulfilled. Unless the statutory procedure is further barred by legal process, my right hon. Friend and I hope to lay a draft of the modified scheme before Parliament in the near future, but I am unable to state at present when the scheme, if approved by Parliament and accepted by the, requisite majority of producers, will come into full operation.