65. Lieut.-Colonel Sir ARNOLD WILSONasked the Minister of Agriculture by what authority the Wheat Commission require all applications for appointment as authorised dealers to be considered and recommended to them by local wheat committees; and whether he will review the position with a view to preventing the delegation by the commission to bodies which may include prospective competitors of the applicant of judicial and administrative duties entrusted to them by this House?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)The responsibility for the appointment of authorised persons for the purpose of the issue of wheat certificates under the Wheat Act rests entirely with the Wheat Commission. In order to secure the advantage of local knowledge the commission arranged that all applications for appointment as authorised merchants should, in the first place, be made to and considered by local wheat committees comprising representatives of millers, dealers and registered growers of wheat. Any applicant who is not recommended by the local committee for 674 appointment is so informed by the committee and advised that he can appeal direct to the Wheat Commission against the decision. The local committee act only in an advisory capacity and no judicial or administrative duties in connection with these appointments have been delegated to them by the Wheat Commission.
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNCan my right hon. Friend say whether there has been any appeal to local committees?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI should require notice of that question.