HC Deb 02 April 1962 vol 657 cc18-9
20. Mr. Peart

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take on the recommendations of the Plant Committee on Fowl Pest.

Mr. Soames

As I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Prior) on 30th March, consultations will be held with representatives of all sections of the poultry industry. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I will consider future policy in the light of those consultations. We are very grateful to Sir Arnold Plant and his committee for their thorough and comprehensive report.

Mr. Peart

Is the Minister not aware that a committee has reported and that we have had a debate in the House? There has been a recommendation for immediate action. When shall we have some action?

Mr. Soames

This Report, which took a good time to prepare—I make no complaint about that because it covers a wide field—was published about a week or so ago. This is a complex matter involving a large amount of money and affecting a considerable part of the industry. We intend to consult those parts of the industry which are interested before deciding what we shall do. There is nothing unusual in this.

Mr. Peart

If the Minister will not give a general answer, will he give a specific answer: will he step up the research into this disease?

Mr. Soames

The extent to which it would be right to step up research will depend upon the decisions taken as a result of this Report.

Sir G. Nicholson

Is the Minister aware that the recommendations of this Report are doubly welcome because they point to some economy in the expenditure of public money? Will he learn the moral that when large sums of public money are being expended research, whether by specially appointed committees or in the form of thought by his Department, must be expeditious because in the meanwhile the money is being spent, possibly unnecessarily?

Mr. Soames

The Report recommended that a levy should be raised, beginning in April, 1963.