HC Deb 18 November 1964 vol 702 cc434-5
30. Mr. J. E. B. Hill

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how he proposes to give effect to the agreement on new marketing arrangements for home-grown cereals announced on 22nd September, 1964.

36. Mr. Prior

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's plans for cereal marketing.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Fred Peart)

The Government welcome this agreement and are urgently considering legislation to give effect to it.

Mr. Hill

Will the Minister accept my congratulations on his appointment? Can he say whether the Bill will set out to preserve the aims and the balance of this agreement which resulted from 18 months of somewhat delicate negotiations; and, in particular, can he give an assurance that the Government are not seeking to set up a commodity commission with full trading powers?

Mr. Peart

I think the hon. Member knows full well what the agreement was, and I have given my answer.

Mr. Prior

It is surprising to hear from the right hon. Gentleman that he is not going to set up a commodity commission. May we take it that no commodity commission on cereals will be set up?

Mr. Peart

The hon. Member is aware of what I said in reply to the main Question. He knows my views.

Mr. Soames

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that he intends to legislate to implement this agreement arrived at some time ago with all the interests concerned in the marketing of the home cereal crop, that this will be his only intention, and that he does not intend to superimpose on that agreement any other form of body?

Mr. Peart

May I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on his new appointment? I said in reply to one of his hon. Friends that the Government welcome the agreement and are urgently considering legislation. What more does the right hon. Gentleman expect?