HC Deb 27 June 1955 vol 543 c26
36. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he has delayed announcing the membership of the Pigs and Bacon Reorganisation Commission which was set up in March and the Chairman of which was appointed in April.

Mr. Amory

The Secretary of State for Scotland and I expect to complete our appointments to the Commission very shortly.

Mr. de Freitas

Why do the right hon. Gentleman and the Secretary of State not get a move on in view of the very grave problems facing pig producers at the moment? The Government have brought the problems on the pig producers and should get the Commission going.

Mr. Amory

I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's allegation that the Government have brought these difficulties on the pig producers. The Commission has a very important job to carry out, and that is why I am so anxious to ensure that we have on it men of the very highest calibre who can spare the considerable amount of time that will be required for this inquiry. I can assure the hon. Gentleman I am not wasting a single day.

Mr. T. Williams

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the persons who have been invited to accept this duty have refused?

Mr. Amory

No, but I expect no difficulty whatever in satisfactorily completing the appointments to the Commission.