HC Deb 27 July 1943 vol 391 cc1403-4

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Sir JOSEPH LAMB

71. To ask the Minister of Agriculture in how many instances have difficulties arisen with county councils in connection with the transfer of functions and staff necessitating the making of Regulation 28B.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to read an answer which I should have given to Question No. 71 on the Paper if it had been reached. I ask your leave to do so, because it has a bearing upon to-day's Business.

Following is the answer:

Some apprehension appears to have arisen regarding the possible scope of this Regulation. Representations have been made to me that the Regulation in its present terms is unnecessarily wide. To meet this, I propose as soon as possible to take the necessary steps to lay before the House a revised and more restricted Regulation, the terms of which will, I hope, be satisfactory both to the House and to the County Councils Association. I think it is only fair to state that on the whole county councils have been most helpful in lending me, and where necessary, in seconding to my Department, such members of their staff as I require. In only a small minority of counties have difficulties and friction arisen. I hope, therefore, that when the terms of the revised Regulation are published, all apprehension will be found to have been allayed.

Sir J. Lamb

It was somewhat difficult to hear with accuracy the statement just made, because of the noise going on. May I ask my right hon. Friend whether the new Regulation now promised will cover the services which have been specified in negotiations which have recently been held with him?

Mr. Hudson

Yes, Sir.

Sir J. Lamb

In that case may I thank the Minister for his answer, and say that in consequence of the undertaking which he has given now it is not the intention of myself or other Members who have put it on the Order Paper to move the Prayer which would have come on later in the proceedings to-day.

[That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Order in Council, dated 20th May, 1943, made under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Acts, 1939 and 1940, adding Regulation 288 to the Defence (Agriculture and Fisheries) Regulations, 1939, a copy of which was presented to this House on 25th May, be annulled.]

Mr. Boothby

May I ask whether we shall be right in assuming that this Order applies only to England and Wales and not to Scotland?

Mr. Hudson

Yes.