§ 22. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Agriculture if he proposes to implement by legislation the recommendations of the Milk Reorganisation Commission and establish producers and distributors boards, with three independent members, to fix the sale price of milk?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAs my hon. Friend will be aware, it is incumbent on the Milk Marketing Board, under the provisions of the Milk Marketing Scheme, to consult such persons as they think best qualified to express the views of purchasers of milk by wholesale before prescribing the terms of contracts for the sale of milk by registered producers. Section 13 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1933, confers statutory authority on the board, by agreement with the purchasers' representatives, to bring independent persons into such consultations. I am not satisfied that these powers, if fully exercised, are insufficient, and as at present advised, therefore, I am not prepared to raise the wide issues which would be involved in a decision to introduce legislation to carry out the recommendations of the Milk Reorganisation Commission regarding a Central Dairymen's Board and a joint Milk Council.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs my right hon. Friend aware of the intense dissatisfaction against the award of the three independent persons appointed?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am aware that there was dissatisfaction with the award of the three independent persons, but I am not aware that any other award by any other three independent persons would be any more acceptable.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWill my right hon. Friend give us a trial?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs my right hon. Friend aware that the present appointed persons cannot possibly be asked to act again after their period of office ends, and can he say what he proposes to put in their place?