HC Deb 04 March 1957 vol 566 cc22-3
54. Mr. Fell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet received any advice from the Committee which he set up to inquire into the export of live cattle.

Mr. Godber

No Sir. I would remind my hon. Friend that the Committee was only appointed on 7th February.

Mr. Fell

Is my hon. Friend aware that this is a matter which really is exercising opinion in the country, and that in my postbag I have certainly had more letters and petitions from all parts of all the countries of the United Kingdom on this matter than I have had on any other subject since I have been a Member of Parliament? Does he realise that the most significant fact about this correspondence is that it nearly all comes from farmers, that is to say, those people closest to the problem, and will he not, therefore, speed up the work of this Committee and make some interim statement which will give some feeling of confidence to these people that something urgent is going to be done?

Mr. Godber

I assure my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend does attach great importance to this matter and he realises very much the urgency. My hon. Friend will be glad to know that the Committee has already had four meetings and has examined seventeen witnesses. The Committee is pressing ahead as fast as possible, and if it thinks fit to issue an interim report or offer any advice, my right hon. Friend will be very glad to consider it.