§ 20. Sir Gifford Foxasked the Minister of Agriculture, whether he proposes to introduce legislation during the current Session to carry into effect the recommendations of the Poultry Technical Committee; whether he has now ascertained how these recommendations are viewed by the different sections of the community keeping poultry; and whether in any case he will pass legislation to become operative before the hatching season in the late autumn?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThis matter is receiving the most careful consideration in consultation with the interests concerned, but I have no statement to make at the present time.
§ Sir G. FoxIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the loss on adult laying birds in England and Wales is £4,000,000 a year, and that the cost of carrying out the recommendation would be only £110,000 a year? Is he aware that if the matter is not tackled quickly it may very well cost a great deal more than that?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am aware of the desirability of tackling this problem as soon as possible, but my hon. Friend will agree with me that it is necessary to have consultation with the interests in order that a suitable scheme may be worked out.