§ 5. Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive from the Horticultural Marketing Council its views on the possibility of establishing an auction system based on that prevailing in the Netherlands.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Horticultural Marketing Council will, I understand, be considering the whole question this week. I shall be interested to know their views in due course. But, as I told the hon. Member in reply to his Question last week, more information is needed before any conclusions can be reached on whether the Dutch auction system could be generally applied with advantage in this country.
§ Mr. de FreitasIs it not time that the Ministry gave direct advice to the Council? Does not the Ministry now have very good evidence that this system helps both the consumers and the producers?
§ Mr. SoamesIt helps in certain Continental countries. I know that the hon. Gentleman will have read the most interesting Departmental Report. I am not convinced, however, that what is right in one country would necessarily suit this country. There are many differences. Our grading is nowhere near as advanced as in Holland, for example. In addition, the growers in this country are not concentrated in small areas to the same extent as in Holland. There are many different factors, but, as stated in the Report, it is well worth considering whether a pilot scheme should be carried out.