§ 78. Mr. HOLDSWORTHasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a large number of small distributors who distribute the produce of smallholders and market gardeners around London have been refused a licence by the Potato Marketing Board to buy and sell potatoes; that many of these men have been engaged in this occupation for periods up to 30 years and have, by this decision, had their livelihood taken away with only a few days' notice and without any reason given, whereas licences have been granted to similar distributors who have only been engaged in the industry for short periods; and will he state on what principles this discrimination has been exercised and what compensation is to be available for those who livelihood has been taken away by the decision of the board?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI take it that the hon. Member has in mind a recent determination of the Potato Marketing Board that, subject to an exemption as regards cer- 357 tain classes of sales, registered producers shall not sell potatoes except to merchants authorised by the board. I have no knowledge of the cases to which the hon. Member refers, but I have no doubt the board would be prepared to consider any representations or additional information which may be available regarding them. I would, however, remind the hon. Member that Section 9 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, provides machinery for the consideration of complaints about the operation of agricultural marketing schemes. As regards the last part of the question, there is no provision in the Potato Marketing Scheme for the payment of compensation to merchants who are not authorised by the board.
§ Mr. HOLDSWORTHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the notice refusing these licences is dated so recently as 27th October, and was received on 29th October, and that the scheme comes into force to-day? Will he give the House a guarantee that none of these men, if pursuing the calling they have been following for 30 years, will be fined without further inquiry having been made into the particular cases?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThese are matters of regulation within the industry itself, and it would not be possible for me to give assurances regarding the working of a scheme which has been passed by this House.
§ Mr. HOLDSWORTHCan the Minister tell us what principle is being followed in the granting or refusing of these licences?
§ Mr. ELLIOTNo, Sir. There are a number of general principles which have guided the Board in approving merchants, but, as my hon. Friend will realise, one of the considerations which is constantly pressed upon the agricultural industry is the necessity of reducing middlemen's costs, and it is very difficult to say at what point injustice arises when this process is being carried out.
§ Mr. HOLDSWORTHFurther to that, may I ask whether it is not a fact that these men, who have been following this occupation, have been carrying it out so as to supplant the middlemen. Is it not a fact that what they are doing is dealing direct between the producer and the actual retailer?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am sure it is quite impossible for me to discuss the operations of the Board by question and answer across the Floor of the House. A scheme has been considered and has been passed by Parliament, and within the limits laid down by Parliament the responsibility is that of the Board and the organised producers, and not of this House.
§ Mr. HOLDSWORTHI wish to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this question on the Adjournment on the first available opportunity?