§ 27. NOEL LINDSAYasked the Minister of Agriculture in how many cases of bankruptcy among milk distributors and retailers the Milk Marketing Board have been creditors and for what total sum: and what dividend has been received?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI regret that I have not the information necessary to answer my hon. Friend's question.
§ 28. Mr. LINDSAYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the case of a. Bristol dairyman who was allowed credit by the Milk Marketing Board to the extent of £693 and has now been compelled by the board to make an arrangement with his creditors; whether there have been other similar cases; and whether, in justice to other trade creditors, he will instruct the board to abate their claims in all such cases?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am not aware of the case to which my hon. Friend refers. I have no knowledge of any similar cases. As to the last part of the question, my hon. Friend will appreciate that the matter is not one in which the Minister has any jurisdiction.
§ Mr. LINDSAYHaving regard to the extremely summary and discourteous treatment of correspondence, is there no Parliamentary redress?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThis is a matter of ordinary business which the parties concerned will need to handle themselves.