§ 42. Mr. R. Morganasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food in view of the new powers given to the Milk Marketing Board under Statutory Rules and Orders No. 1716 of 1940, what is the present composition of the Board; what were the previous occupations of its members; by whom were they nominated or elected; and what steps is it proposed to take to ensure that this Board, which is mainly nominated by the producing interests, will have proper regard for the interests of distributors and consumers of milk?
§ Mr. BoothbyThe Milk Marketing Board is composed of 17 members of whom 12 are regional members elected by the registered producers in the regions, three are special members elected by the producers in general meeting and two are persons co-opted to the Board by the elected members after consultation with the Market Supply Committee. The 12 regional members and the three special members are or have been dairy farmers. The two co-opted members are the Right Honourable the Lord Eltisley, K.B.E., J.P., and the hon. Member for Hastings (Mr. Hely-Hutchinson). With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a Question to-day by my hon. Friend the Member for Frome (Mrs. Tate).