§ 65. Mr. DINGLE FOOTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the decision of the House of Lords in Ferrier V. Scottish Milk Marketing Board; and what steps the board propose to take to refund to Scottish producer-retailers the amounts that have been wrongfully taken from them?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am informed that the board are considering the whole position arising from the judgment referred to and no doubt the board in due course will issue a statement as to the action which they propose to take.
§ Mr. FOOTCan the right hon. Gentleman give any idea when that statement is likely to be issued? Will it be before the rising of Parliament for the Summer Recess?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThere have been numerous discussions on this point. The board are considering the matter to-morrow, and I think that a statement should be made to the House before we adjourn.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRWill the right hon. Gentleman see that restitution is made to those who have had sums wrongfully taken from them?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThat is a matter which rests with the board, and not with the Department.
§ Mr. CASSELLSDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that this is not a question of discretion? Illegal charges 446 have been made, and is he not prepared in these circumstances to bring his influence to bear in connection with this important matter?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe board was set up by Parliament as a statutory body, and Parliament did not intend at that time that the Minister should interfere with its internal workings.
§ Mr. MAXTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman say to this House that the Scottish Milk Marketing Board is so independent that it is above the law?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI hope that nothing I have said could lead any hon. Member to think that. I said that this is a matter for the board to decide. If the board has illegally taken certain action, it is for them first of all to consider what steps they propose further to take, and until I know what steps they propose to take, naturally I cannot say anything further on the matter.
Duchess of ATHOLLDoes my right hon. Friend not recognise that the Government have some responsibility in the matter? They took upon themselves the responsibility of presenting a scheme to Parliament for approval, and I understand that they put pressure upon the Producers' Federation to get their members to pay certain sums, part of which has now been shown to be illegal.
§ Sir G. COLLINSI do not think it would be fair to say that the Government put pressure upon any class of producers to bring the scheme into operation. It was a matter which was left entirely to the free discretion of the milk producers concerned. As the Noble Lady well knows, this matter is to be considered by the board to-morrow, and I hope to make a statement on the subject before Parliament rises. Perhaps therefore she will defer any further questions on the matter until the statement is made.