35. Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many producer-retailers, producer-wholesalers, and certified producers, respectively, are registered under the Scottish milk scheme; how many of these have been paying a levy based on gallonage since payments per cow were instituted; what is the total amount of levy paid on a gal lonage basis by these producers since the 1303 inception of the scheme; and how much of this consists of payments declared to be illegal in the recent House of Lords' decision in the Ferrier case?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am in communication with the Scottish Milk Marketing Board with a view to obtaining for the Noble Lady the information she desires so far as it can be made available.
Duchess of ATHOLLWill the right hon. Gentleman impress upon the board the need of completing this investigation as soon as they can, as there are many milk producers who are affected by the recent House of Lords decision?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI will certainly do that, but the Noble Lady is no doubt well aware that her request involves a considerable amount of information. Directly it is ready it will be communicated to her.
§ Mr. DINGLE FOOTIf the information is not available until the House is in recess, will the right hon. Gentleman make the information public?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI will certainly do so.
§ Mr. CASSELLSIf the investigation elicits the fact that illegal deductions have been made, will the right hon. Gentleman bring pressure to bear upon the board to see that refund is immediately made?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThat is another question which does not directly arise out of this question.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIn regard to those people who were sold up, their cows scattered and they themselves reduced to public assistance, will the right hon. Gentleman see that they are restored to their status quo, or will he leave it to a jury of their fellow-countrymen?
§ 40. Mr. FOOTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Milk Marketing Board has come to any decision on the situation arising out of the judgment in Ferrier v. Scottish Milk Marketing Board; and whether he has any statement to make on this subject?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am informed that the board are closely examining the whole position but have not yet reached a decision. They are meeting again to-day to consider the matter further in the light 1304 of the advice obtained from their legal advisers.
§ Mr. FOOTIn view of the importance of this matter to a great number of retailers in the East of Scotland, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a rather fuller statement before the House rises for the Recess?
§ Sir G. COLLINSIt will depend on the discussions which are taking place today in the Scottish Milk Marketing Board. Until they are in a position to inform me what steps they propose to take, I cannot make any further statement.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill the right hon. Gentleman refer to the Milk Board that they are taking the earnings of one small section and handing them to another small section? Is not that a breach of the Eighth Commandment—"Thou shalt not steal."?
§ Mr. CASSELLSDoes the right hon. Gentleman admit that charges have been made by the Board which are illegal?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe Board have decided that there are some charges which are illegal, and they are now considering what steps they shall take to put the matter right.