§ 31. Mr. LEONARDasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the basis of county representation decided upon by the Pigs Marketing Board for their regional committees permits of the representation of every county in England and Wales on their appropriate regional committee while Scotland will have 15 counties unrepresented on any regional committee; and will he ascertain if special provision can be made for some representation covering these counties with a combined pig population of over 32,000?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am aware of the arrangements made by the Pigs Marketing Board for setting up regional committees which, in Scotland as in England, will be composed of representatives for each county having a pig population of not less than 5,000. While on that basis certain counties in Scotland will not have direct representation on the committees, I understand that the total membership of the committees in Scotland will, in proportion to the total pig population for the country, be stronger numerically than that of the committees in England. The constitution of these committees is entirely a matter for the board. I have, however, brought the hon. Member's question to their notice.
§ Mr. LEONARDWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that every county in England is represented upon those regional committees, and will he endeavour to ascertain whether a modification of the basis of representation cannot be arrived at in order to ensure that there shall be greater representation for Scotland?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThat is a matter for the Board itself, but I have no doubt it will give consideration to the hon. Member's point of view.
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSAs the right hon. Gentleman clearly explained that the pig population of Scotland is over-represented, will he take some of the representation away so as to be fair?