§ 19. Mr. Stodartasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food where the heaquarters of the Meat and Livestock Commission and of the Central Council for Agricultural and Horticultural Co-operation are to be.
§ Mr. John MackieMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend are considering in consultation with the Meat and Livestock Commission, a number of possible locations for their heaquarters. No decision has yet been taken. They and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department have agreed that the headquarters of the Central Council for Agricultural and Horticultural Cooperation should be in London and they moved into their permanent offices at Vincent Square, S.W.1, on 1st January.
§ Mr. StodartCould the hon. Gentleman at least deny that it is not almost fixed that the Meat Commission is to set up in Buckinghamshire? Will not this be a deplorable decision? As 150 to 250 people are to be employed at the headquarters, would this not be an admirable Government agency for either Perth or Aberdeen, and have great efforts been made to achieve this?
§ Mr. MackieIt is up to the Commission itself. I do not deny what the hon. 404 Gentleman says. At the moment the Commission is operating from the P.I.D.A. headquarters in London and is co-operating with us in looking for headquarters all over the country for running the Meat Commission.
§ Mr. MacArthurCan the hon. Gentle man give an assurance that the headquarters of the Commission will not be in London? Will he make sure that the headquarters is established in a meat-producing area and look very favourably upon Scotland, and in particular Perth, where adequate buildings at present stand?
§ Mr. MackieI am sorry that I cannot give the hon. Gentleman any hard and fast guarantee about where the headquarters will be. The Commission is looking at all areas.