HC Deb 15 November 1949 vol 469 cc1833-4
10. Sir John Mellor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what expense he incurred with regard to pigs in purported pursuance of the Improvement of Live Stock (Licensing of Bulls) Act, 1931, before 24th October, 1949, the date appointed by S.I., 1949, No. 1911, s. 131, for the application of the said Act to pigs as to cattle; by what authority he incurred this expense; and what was the date upon which such authority commenced.

Mr. Woodburn

The net expenditure incurred before 24th October, 1949, in administering the Improvement of Live Stock (Licensing of Boars) (Scotland) Regulations, 1946, was approximately £1,000. This expenditure was incurred under Section 12 of the Improvement of Live Stock (Licensing of Bulls) Act, 1931, Section 6 of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1944, and the regulations made under these Acts. The date upon which such authority commenced was 1st May, 1946.

Sir J. Mellor

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman forgot to appoint a date until he appointed 24th October last for this legislation to become applicable to pigs? In those circumstances how could he have any authority to incur expense before that date?

Mr. Woodburn

The hon. Member is thinking of two different orders. The second order dealt with that matter in one way and the first order dealt with it in another way.

Sir J. Mellor

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the regulations of 1946 carried with them any authority to incur expense.

Mr. Woodburn

So far as I know the regulations made under that Order were in order.