§ 41. Major Ramsayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will reconsider his decision to change over from the old W.A.E.Cs. to the new district committees in November; and whether he will consider causing the change to take place in the spring of 1947.
§ Mr. WestwoodI propose to proceed with the appointment of the new area executive committees in November. In order, however, to avoid any possibility of prejudicing the plans now being made for next year's vital harvest, I have decided, instead of setting up the local sub-committees mentioned in my reply of 14th May to the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart), to invite the existing agricultural executive committees to remain in office for a further period for the performance of specific food production duties.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanCan the Minister say whether these committees will have the same powers as they have at present, or will they come under the area committees in any way?
§ Mr. WestwoodThey will have practically the same powers as at present. I want them to continue until such time as we are through the crisis we are in at the moment so far as food production is concerned.