HC Deb 09 February 1954 vol 523 cc987-8
28. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to encourage the formation of a meat marketing board.

Mr. Snadden

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 17 of the White Paper on Decontrol of Food and Marketing of Agricultural Produce. The Government's plan leaves scope for a producers' marketing board for meat.

Mr. Grimond

Is the Joint Undersecretary aware that it was this paragraph that I had in mind? As this matter isof great importance to the agricultural industry in the North of Scotland, will he assure us that the Government are taking steps to see that this matter is pushed on and is not held up by possible delays south of the border?

Mr. Snadden

There is sometimes a little confusion on this point. It is for the producers to produce a scheme. It is not for the Government to take the first step. It is not up to the agricultural Ministers to encourage the production of marketing schemes.

Sir D. Robertson

Does my hon. Friend consider it feasible for any marketing organisation to succeed unless provision is made to deal with the glut at the end of the summer grass season by chilling and by freezing?

Mr. Snadden

That is a separate question.