HC Deb 06 July 1944 vol 401 cc1412-3
Mr. Hudson

I beg to move, in page 3, line 24, at the end, to insert: (3) Milk and Dairies Regulations shall provide for the constitution of a central committee, and of county committees for the several administrative counties, to keep under review the operation and administration of Milk and Dairies Regulations and Milk (Special Designation) Regulations and to make recommendations with respect thereto, in the case of the central committee, to the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and, in the case of a county committee, to the central committee. It will be remembered that in the Committee discussions I said that I intended to set up committees in the various counties, as well as the Central Advisory Committee, whose job would be to keep under review the operation and administration of this Measure. I am particularly anxious to secure the co-operation of local authorities in this matter, and we think that this is the right way to do it. I was pressed on the Committee stage to insert a provision making it mandatory on me to set up these committees, and this Amendment carries out my promise. Before the Regulations governing this part of the Bill are finally drawn, we shall consult the various associations, including the associations of local authorities, and try to reach agreement with them.

Mr. Price

As we have been discussing the composition of tribunals, can the Minister say whom he proposes to appoint on these committees? They will be important advisory committees, and is it proposed to appoint local representatives of the various interests?

Mr. Hudson

I want to try to obtain the co-operation of the various local authorities, and I would sooner not specify in detail exactly how the committees will be constituted, because I shall not draft the Regulations until I have consulted the various associations. It will be within the knowledge of many Members that we have in operation a milk testing scheme, which is being run on a voluntary basis with the co-operation of the Ministry of Health, local authorities, sanitary inspectors and so forth. I want to fit this eventually into this scheme, and it will be necessary to consult all the various authorities before we decide on the Regulations, which will in turn be submitted to the House.

Amendment agreed to.