HC Deb 08 February 1979 vol 962 cc539-40
6. Mr. Adley

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the extent to which food and foodstuffs are being delayed by industrial action; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Silkin

The distribution of food is now returning to normal and I do not think I need make any further statement.

Mr. Adley

I understand the Minister's wish to put recent events behind him, but can he tell us whether he personally, as a member of the Cabinet, is satisfied that the law on picketing is clear and not in need of amendment? Can he also tell us, as a member of the Cabinet—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. This question is about the supply of foodstuffs and industrial action. If the hon. Member has a question on picketing he should put it on the Order Paper.

Mr. Adley

But Mr. Speaker, it is about the fact that the Minister sanctioned and approved the agreement reached with the lorry drivers. That is the point behind this question. In the light of this dispute, what is the Government's pay policy now?

Mr. Silkin

It has just occurred to me that the hon. Member has got the wrong Silkin.

Mr. Stoddart

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a new threat to foodstuffs looming on the horizon from the decision of the European Court of Justice yesterday on the operation of tachographs? Will he sound an early warning in the Cabinet that this judgment will cause great problems?

Mr. Silkin

A warning was sounded in Europe that it would cause many problems for us. If we are talking about the high price of foodstuffs, a little of the answer is to be found in Brussels.