§ 39. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement concerning rejection by the National Farmers' Union of his proposal that only 25 per cent. representation on the Horticultural Marketing Council should be growers, 666 and that the cost of the Council, between £250,000 and £500,000 per annum, should be carried by the industry during an initial two-year experimental period, contrary to the proposals of the Runciman Committee; and, having regard to the importance of fresh British fruit and vegetables, what further steps he is now taking.
§ Mr. John HareI regret that I am not in a position to make a statement today, but I shall very shortly be giving the House full information on these and related matters, together with the Government's proposals regarding them.
§ Mr. G. R. HowardWill my right hon. Friend reconsider this whole subject of a Horticultural Marketing Council, in view of the feeling of the horticultural section of the N.F.U. and in view of the fact that it may well perpetuate a wholesale system which we want to see improved, with, if possible, an element of competition introduced into it?
§ Mr. HareI hope that my hon. Friend will be patient and allow me to make a statement on this whole subject, which I hope to do very shortly.