HC Deb 11 July 1938 vol 338 cc902-3
32. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many consumers' committees appointed under Section 9 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, are still holding regular meetings; how many meetings have been held by these committees during the last two years; in what districts they generally held such meetings; by whom these committees were appointed; the length of their appointment; and how many, and what changes, have taken place in the composition of same during this period?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

As the answer is a long one, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Day

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that these committees are doing good work?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir.

Following is the reply:

In accordance with Section 9 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, three consumers' committees were appointed in December, 1933, namely, a committee appointed by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Secretary of State for Scotland relating to agricultural marketing schemes applicable in Great Britain, a committee appointed by the Minister relating to schemes applicable in England, and a committee appointed by the Secretary of State relating to schemes applicable in Scotland. During the last two years the Great Britain committee and the English committee have each met on six occasions in London, and the Scottish committee twice in Edinburgh. In the same period two members have been added to the Great Britain committee and one member each to the English and Scottish committees; one member of the Great Britain committee has died and another has resigned, causing one vacancy each in the English and Scottish committees. Steps are being taken to fill the vacancies. The personnel of these committees is the same as that of the Food Council and matters arising under agricultural marketing schemes which concern consumers are discussed at meetings of the council, so that there is no need to convene special meetings of the particular consumers' committee. The annual reports of the Food Council, to which I would refer the hon. Member, include matters that have come before the council in the capacity of consumers' committees.