HC Deb 31 October 1957 vol 575 cc370-1
3. Major Beamish

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has now completed his consultations with the public authorities and interested organisations regarding the main recommendations contained in the Runciman Committee on Horticultural Marketing; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Amory

Consultations with the large number of organisations concerned are still in progress, and I am therefore not yet in a position to make a further statement.

Major Beamish

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of the improvements suggested by the Runciman Committee were warmly welcomed by the industry, particularly the suggestion for a horticultural marketing council? Can he say when he hopes to be in a position to make a further statement?

Mr. Amory

No. I would say only that the sooner I am, the better I shall be pleased. I am very anxious to get the maximum amount of agreement we can amongst the various sections of the horticultural industry, on the one hand, and also, on the other, about the central markets for London among the organisations and authorities concerned. That is what is taking time at present.

Mr. Willey

Has the right hon. Gentleman forgotten that he promised us a statement in the summer? The summer is well past. Surely he can expedite these discussions?

Mr. Amory

I think the hon. Gentleman must have been absent from the House on that day at the end of the summer when I made a statement and promised a further statement in due course.