§ 35. Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Food why, on 10th April, 1951, 117 lambs entered by Mr. Wood, Nawton, were not allowed to be graded at the Kirby Moorside Grading Centre on the ground that they had arrived 20 minutes late.
§ Mr. F. WilleyThe latest time for the acceptance of stock grading at this centre is 1.0 p.m. On the day in question the grading of the sheep of all other producers at this centre was completed by 12 noon, but the grading panel stood by until 1.0 p.m. when they closed their grading lists. As Mr. Wood's sheep did not arrive until 1.20 p.m., too late for grading that day, they had to be refused, but exceptional arrangements were made by the Ministry's area officer, who was in the market, for these sheep to be accepted the following day at Pickering.
§ Mr. TurtonIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that producers are not given notice of these times, which are the responsibility of a ministerial whim, and that the decision of the area officer meant that these sheep had to be walked some 15 miles? Will he see that the rules are interpreted more reasonably so that animals do not suffer unnecessarily by being taken long distances?
§ Mr. WilleyIt would appear, from the fact that other sheep were tendered before 12 noon, that the notice was well known, but I will look into the matter.