§ 56. Mr. LEONARDasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the committee of investigation which recently dealt with the complaint of the milk distributors in Scotland against the decision of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board had placed at its disposal for guidance evidence on the costs of distribution and evidence as to the costs of production?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)Evidence on the cost of distribution was 1998 submitted to the committee, but no evidence was given as to the cost of production.
§ Mr. LEONARDDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that his decision refusing to give countenance to the results of the committee of investigation gives protection to that side of the investigation which refused to give competent evidence, and, if so, will he reconsider his decision?
§ Sir G. COLLINSWe have no evidence at the moment as to the costs of distribution, but active steps are being taken in different quarters in Scotland to get the facts.
§ Mr. LEONARDCan the right hon. Gentleman state what factors he considered in making up his mind to flout the decision of the committee of investigation?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI took all the relevant facts into consideration before coming to a decision on this very difficult case.
§ Mr. LEONARDWill the right hon. Gentleman state what the facts were?
§ 57. Mr. LEONARDasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the grave dissatisfaction amongst Scottish milk distributors at the prices being forced upon them by the Scottish Milk Board and the possibility of such resentment taking the form of contracts being resiled as from 30th April; and whether he proposes to take steps to obviate the disorganisation in the milk supply such a step would entail?
§ Sir G. COLLINSMy attention has been drawn to a printed letter circulated by the Scottish Milk Trade Federation to the effect suggested in the first part of the question and to a Press report of a meeting of distributors. The information before me does not confirm the necessity for considering action on the lines indicated in the last part.
Mr. ALEXANDERWill the right hon. Gentleman consider whether or not the Scottish milk distributors did sign the contract subject to the reservation that they would have the right to resile?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI have no doubt the right hon. Member is well aware of the terms of the contract which they signed.
§ Mr. LEONARDDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that it is within the power of the distributors to give notice on the 10th of this month to resole from their contract, to take effect on the 30th, and, if so, will he consider that matter in order to obviate that possibility and disorganisation?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am well aware of that power, but I hope and believe that the decision which I gave—a difficult one in all the circumstances—will be accepted in the best interests of the milk industry and the consuming public.
Mr. ALEXANDERAre we to understand that in future the decisions of impartial and legal tribunals set up under Acts of Parliament are to be overridden by Ministers like himself?
§ Sir G. COLLINSA Minister must accept full responsibility for his decisions. A committee of investigation investigates the matter and reports to the Minister, but the Minister would be shirking his duty if he did not accept full responsibility for his actions.
§ Mr. LEONARDIn view of the immense indignation which has been created in Scotland over this question, I give notice that I will raise it at the first opportunity.