§ 27. Mr. Dingle Footasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he now has any statement to make regarding the powers conferred by the Agricultural Marketing Acts on marketing boards to impose penalties for contraventions of the schemes?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe Government have decided to remit the general question of the machinery in regard to penalties under agricultural marketing and other industrial organisation schemes established under Statute to a Departmental Committee with the following terms of reference:
To inquire into the present arrangements for the imposition and recovery of penalties for contraventions of schemes established under Statute for the organisation of agriculture and other industries, to consider whether any modifications of these arrangements are desirable and practicable and to make recommendations.
§ Mr. FootMay I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the reply of what steps he has taken so promptly to meet the wishes recently expressed in this House? Will the committee have within its purview the penalty imposing powers which it is now proposed to confer on the Fish Marketing Board?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe terms of reference are drafted in the widest possible way so that the whole question may be adequately considered.
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, Sir; the personnel will be announced shortly.