§ 34. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a further statement on the Report of the Committee on Transactions in Seeds.
§ Mr. John HareFollowing the statement I made on 7th December last as to the need for revision of existing seed control arrangements in the light of this Report, revised Regulations under the Seeds Act are in preparation and the proposed changes will shortly be discussed with representatives of the interests concerned.
§ Mr. WilleyHas the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the recent report of the Consumer Advisory Council which, after all, is a Government-subsidised body, and has he also seen the report of the official seed testing station at Cambridge? In view of this, would he agree that some immediate action is required to control the bad practices of some of the salesmen?
§ Mr. HareI am taking action. Some action will be taken this year and some next year. I am awaiting the plant breeders' report.
§ Mr. PatonOn a point of order. May I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether you will ensure that the confidences being exchanged across the Table may be enjoyed by other hon. Members in the House?
§ Mr. SpeakerIs the hon. Member complaining about not being able to hear?
§ Mr. SpeakerThese exchanges are very delightful, but they are better one at a time. Perhaps it would be better if the House preserved more silence.