HC Deb 14 June 1948 vol 452 cc38-40
51. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Agriculture why he has issued instructions to area wool advisory committees that membership of a co-operative society does not constitute an adequate reason for change of merchant.

Mr. T. Williams

During the period in which the agricultural departments are responsible for the collection and marketing of the United Kingdom wool clip, it is not intended to vary the existing arrangements unless it can be clearly shown that any changes would be in the direction of increased efficiency or a smoother working of the organisation. I do not consider that transfer to a co-operative wool marketing society would in present circumstances contribute towards achieving either of those objectives.

Mr. Turton

Is it not very improper for the Minister to direct an advisory committee as to what advice it should give, and does it not prejudice the fair trial of the system?

Mr. Williams

Quite clearly in the only direction that was given, only two factors were referred to—increased efficiency and smoother working of the organisation—and not even the desire to become a member of the co-operative society at that particular time was a final or determining factor.

52. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many of the area wool advisory committees that sat at Leeds on 3rd June to hear applications for change of merchant were themselves merchants interested in the applications; whether the chairman of this adjudicating committee was a merchant; and how many of the applicants had previously had their wool handled by the firm of which he is a member.

Mr. T. Williams

Of the 10 members of the local advisory committee present on this occasion, five are farmers and five are merchants. All the latter were interested in some of the applications that were under consideration. In accordance with the normal procedure of these committees, the merchant member with a direct interest in the particular application under consideration takes no part in the discussion and retires when voting takes place. The chairman of the committee is an employee of the Ministry, but is permitted a limited time to attend to the affairs of his business, which is that of a British Wool Merchant. He does not vote. Of the total number of applications considered at the recent meeting of the advisory committee, 25 related to farmers who have previously had their wool handled by the firm of which he is a member.

Mr. Turton

Is it not very improper that the chairman of an impartial tribunal should be interested in 25 per cent. of the applications coming before it, and in view of the partial and unsatisfactory nature of the inquiry which was held will the Minister order a new trial?

Mr. Williams

This is not a trial. The advisory committee consists of five merchants and five farmers. Of the cases dealt with by the advisory committee all with the exception of seven which have been referred to the Ministry for final decision, were unanimous decisions.

Mr. Turton

Will the Minister recollect that earlier this year he told farmers that they were to have a free choice of merchants and is this the result of that offer by him in March?

Mr. Williams

Yes, but I ought to remind the House that the Ministry of Agriculture are only temporarily in charge of wool marketing until the industry itself can build up its marketing scheme. During that short interim we ought not to allow this constant exchange which might involve the Treasury in considerable sums of money.

Mr. Turton

In view of the nature of the Minister's answer, I shall attempt to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.