HC Deb 27 May 1937 vol 324 cc429-30
54. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the future operation of the Livestock Industry Bill and the loss of employment to the workers connected with the markets selected to be closed, he will take some steps to protect and secure for all workers continuity of employment.

Mr. W. S. Morrison

The question of provision for compensation for loss of employment resulting from the operation of a Livestock Markets Order was fully discussed during the Committee and Report stages of the Livestock Industry Bill, and I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I made on those occasions.

Mr. De la Bère

Will my right hon. friend consider, in the long-term policy of the Government, making some provision for the protection of these men; arid does he not think that they might be employed in producing fertilisers for the land in the event of the long-term policy coming into operation?

Mr. Gallacher

Are not the Government going to accept any responsibility for providing employment for these men, in view of the fact that it is the Government who will have put these men out of a job, through reorganisation?

Mr. Morrison

It is by no means certain that any men will lose their jobs. The matter was fully discussed, and I have nothing to add to the replies which I made during the debates.

55. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in the case of dispossessed and compensated auctioneers in a market closed by reason of the operation of the Livestock Industry Bill, what safeguards it is his intention to adopt to prevent these auctioneers reopening in an adjacent market.

Mr. Morrison

It is proposed under the Livestock Industry Bill to give the Livestock Commission power to make bylaws regulating the holding of livestock auctions in any markets in Great Britain. It is also proposed to provide facilities which will enable an authorised body, composed of auctioneers, themselves to determine, through the medium of a service scheme, the persons who may carry on the business of effecting sales by auction of livestock in markets to which such by-laws apply. I am satisfied that these provisions are sufficient to enable all necessary control to be exercised.

Mr. De la Bère

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that that part of the Bill is destructive of private enterprise?

Mr. Morrison

No, I do not.