§ 1. Mr. Hornbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether a scheme has yet been submitted to him by apple and pear producers in the United Kingdom to permit the more orderly and successful marketing of their crops, including the setting of a minimum standard below which no apples or pears would be offered in the primary markets, and to make provision for the raising of funds for publicity; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Christopher Soames)No, Sir. I have not yet received any such proposals. I know that many growers are interested in this possibility, and if they decided to submit a scheme, I can assure my hon. Friend that it will be sympathetically considered by the Government in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Agricultural Marketing Act.
§ Mr. HornbyIs my right hon. Friend aware—as I think he has indicated—that there is great interest in improved methods of marketing in the industry and that possibly one of the reasons why he has not yet received schemes is that there is doubt about what would or 3 might constitute the minimum essentials in the Agricultural Marketing Act? If my right hon. Friend could indicate his views, this would greatly help the industry to try to reach some sort of agreement on the schemes which might be put forward.
§ Mr. SoamesI do not accept that it is lack of knowledge or of thinking on the part of the Government which is holding matters up, but I would certainly be glad to enter into any conversations that might help. As my hon. Friend will appreciate, it would be wrong for me to say anything in anticipation of the well-known procedure under the Agricultural Marketing Act.