§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Bill be now read a Second time.—[Mrs. Fenner.]
7.45 pm§ Mr. Michael Hamilton (Salisbury)I am aware how pressing time is and I shall not detain the House for more than a moment. However, it is right to pay a brief tribute to the work of the Hops Marketing Board and, equally, to offer hop growers the good wishes of the House. In doing that, it is right that I declare an interest. I am the holder of a little-known honour—an award called the Order of the Hop. It is less illustrious than the Order of the Garter, but is none the less welcome. I have also served in a junior capacity on the Hops Marketing Board since before I entered the House.
The board was the first of the agricultural marketing boards to be set up some 50 years ago. In 1930 hop growers were in despair—there was over-production, bankruptcies, and great disarray—but, with the advent of the board, despair gave way to confidence. That led to the brewers getting their hops, constituents getting their beer and hop growers earning a decent living. It would have been far better had we been able to persuade our EEC partners to adopt our system. They have nothing comparable with the efficiency and sophistication of our organisation. However, that was not to be. The Commission stated that our system conflicted with Community law. It made plain that proceedings would be taken against us in the European Court, and hence the Bill before us. No one would have chosen that course, because producers and buyers have been happy with the existing arrangements. Yet we are called on to wind up the system and a board which has been consistently successful over half a century.
Therefore, the least that I can do is to pay tribute to those who devised and operated the scheme. It is a small industry, essentially an English industry, steeped in tradition and demanding the highest skills. I claim that the Hops Marketing Board has done a most remarkable job over the years.
That is not the end of the story. Hop growing will continue. We have more to do this evening than merely stand by the graveside. The Bill gives birth to a new co-operative society. The greatest danger to any marketing organisation is the man outside, but I think that a high proportion of growers wish to join the new set-up. If so, the orderly marketing of hops will continue.
I thank my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary who is piloting the measure through the House. It is fitting that a Kentish Member should be doing that. I know that she has taken time to visit some of the hop fields and warehouses. Her Ministry has been helpful in arranging the difficult transition, and I know that she will continue to give every help to the new organisation. The House will wish English hop growers well in the years ahead.
§ Mr. Mark Hughes (Durham)I shall not detain the House long. I thank the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. 931 Hamilton) for his kind words about the Hops Marketing Board, its servants and members over the past 50 years. We look forward to examining in more detail in Committee many of the detailed points in the Bill. We wish British hop growers well, and we shall consider the Bill carefully in Committee.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mrs. Peggy Fenner)My hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Hamilton) is aware that I moved the Bill formally. I am obliged to the hon. Member for Durham (Mr. Hughes) for agreeing to that course. I know that he wishes to raise matters in Committee, and we look forward to that occasion.
932 I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury for his kind comments not only about the Hops Marketing Board, with which I am sure we all agree, but about me.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read a Second time.
§ Bill committed to a Standing Committee pursuant to Standing Order No. 40 (Committal of Bills).