§ 82. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Agriculture what action he proposes to take as a result of the report by the Food Council to the effect that consumers have legitimate cause for complaint in so far as marketing schemes, which were intended to give primary producers the power to organise and co-ordinate the sale of their produce, confer in addition powers of intervention in the subsequent stages of treatment and distribution which are not the province of producers and of which they cannot be expected to have expert knowledge, particularly in respect of milk, bacon, and potatoes?
§ Mr. RamsbothamThe views of the Food Council are receiving careful consideration, together with other independent and authoritative views of varying import on the subject of the organised 976 marketing of agricultural products. My right hon. Friend is not at present prepared to say what action, if any, is called for.
§ Mr. ManderCan the hon. Gentleman say when he expects to be in a position to make a statement?
§ Mr. RamsbothamI do not think I can answer that question.