§ Amendments made: No. 46, in page 30, line 6 at end insert
§ 'section [Commercial activities of milk marketing boards: distribution of profits],'.
§ No. 47 in page 30, line 6 at end insert
§ 'section [ British Wool Marketing Board: power to grant relief],'.—[Mrs. Gillian Shephard]
§ Order for Third Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Bill be now read the Third time.
402 9.52 pm§ Mr. Paul Marlow (Gloucestershire, West)It is a tremendous disappointment to me that my carefully prepared and statesmanlike speech cannot now be delivered in full because of the pressure of time. However, I take this opportunity to welcome my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food and my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the Front Bench.
Hon. Members and members of the trade outside—
§ Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman (Lancaster)The profession.
§ Mr. MarlandI beg my hon. Friend's pardon. Members of the profession and hon. Members will be very reassured by the way in which my right hon. Friend the Minister and my hon. Friend the Minister of State have offered so kindly to be part of a listening Ministry and to leave the door open to people who want to see them at any time. There is a great deal of informed opinion on the Conservative Benches which would very much like to take advantage of that opportunity. I congratulate my right hon. Friend and my hon. Friend on the trenchant way in which they have gripped their brief.
I believe that three issues are of the utmost importance. First, there is the disputes procedure. I hope that my right hon. Friend will carefully study the proposals that were put forward by the milk marketing boards for a successor body. Secondly, with regard to Milk Marque's plans for the future, I have some sympathy with the view of the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours). Milk Marque is asking for a very wide brief. I urge my right hon. Friend to look carefully at that matter. Part of Sir Leon Brittan's brief in allowing a single voluntary co-operative to be established in this country is that it should not have such a wide brief as it is looking for.
Thirdly, we should keep an eye on the exploitation of the present milk shortage by producers and manufacturers, in the interests of our producers and manufacturers, especially our producers. We do not want to turn off the users of milk. If the price is too high, they will surely look elsewhere to source their manufacturing. Housewives and other milk drinkers will give up drinking milk or look elsewhere for milk substitutes. We do not want that to happen.
In the fullness of time, the tight quota regime might be relaxed. Furthermore, under the auspices of GATT, we might find that Commonwealth countries that had to give up their markets in this country when we joined the EC will look hungrily at our market to sell their surplus milk. Even our nearest neighbours, the Irish, are beginning to buy dairy companies in this country to take advantage of our larger market and their 200 per cent. excessive self-sufficiency.
The Bill must lead to a regime which will ensure long-term success and short-term prosperity for the milk producer. In that spirit, I really wish Milk Marque well. We need a viable dairy industry providing jobs for rural communities. We need satisfied customers'who continue to drink United Kingdom milk and consume United Kingdom dairy products, rather than becoming dependent on imports and milk substitutes.
I assure my right hon. Friend the Minister that many Conservative Members are anxious to see Milk Marque succeed and the United Kingdom dairy industry survive.
403 When the time comes for her to give her seal of approval to any scheme which is put forward by the milk marketing boards for a successor body, I should like her to remember that many Conservative Members are willing and anxious to give advice if my right hon. Friend considers that she needs it.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardI shall respond briefly to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Marland). I thank him for his kind remarks. I assure him that we shall look most carefully at all the points that he raised in this excellent debate. I thank him also for wishing the Bill well.
§ Dr. StrangThe Bill has three important objectives: first, the winding up of the milk marketing boards; secondly, the enabling power to wind up the potato marketing board of Great Britain; and, thirdly, the ending of the wool guarantee. The Labour party opposes all three objectives. We believe that there was an opportunity in the 1980s to adapt the milk marketing boards. That was the view not only of the milk marketing boards but of producers and the Dairy Trade Federation. That opportunity was missed and we are concerned about the arrangements which will follow.
As for the potato marketing board, it would be churlish not to welcome the Minister's statement this afternoon. It was a viable statement, but of course the Bill contains the enabling power to wind up the potato marketing board on a future occasion. However, from what the right hon. Lady said, I trust that we have a good chance of ensuring that the board continues as long as there is not an EC regime.
We believe that the decision to end the guaranteed wool price was wrong. This is the worst of all possible times to do it. As hon. Members will be aware, wool prices are utterly depressed. All three changes were not sought by the industry. We have a very successful industry and milk of the highest quality in Europe. We have a very successful potato industry. The wool marketing board has served the industry well. For all those reasons, there is no case for this measure. It is based on Tory dogma and we will vote against the Bill.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardI regret that the Opposition's contribution has ended on that note because I believe that we achieved a degree of consensus during the debate. The Government feel that the changes for milk and for wool represent new challenges for agriculture and that our magnificent industry will rise to those challenges. We will take a careful look at the potato industry.
I would particularly commend to the House the Government's marketing initiatives, which will be greatly strengthened by the Bill. I believe that the future looks good for one of our foremost industries and I am delighted to commend the Bill to the House.
§ Question put, That the Bill be now read the Third time:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 264, Noes 137.
406| Division No. 306] | [9.50 pm |
| AYES | |
| Ainsworth, Peter (East Surrey) | Amess, David |
| Alison, Rt Hon Michael (Selby) | Arbuthnot, James |
| Allason, Rupert (Torbay) | Arnold, Jacques (Gravesham) |
| Ashby, David | Freeman, Rt Hon Roger |
| Ashdown, Rt Hon Paddy | French, Douglas |
| Aspinwall, Jack | Fry, Peter |
| Atkinson, David (Bour'mouth E) | Gale, Roger |
| Atkinson, Peter (Hexham) | Gallic, Phil |
| Baker, Rt Hon K. (Mole Valley) | Gardiner, Sir George |
| Baker, Nicholas (Dorset North) | Garnier, Edward |
| Baldry, Tony | Gillan, Cheryl |
| Banks, Matthew (Southport) | Gorman, Mrs Teresa |
| Bates, Michael | Gorst, John |
| Bellingham, Henry | Greenway, John (Ryedale) |
| Bendall, Vivian | Griffiths, Peter (Portsmouth, N) |
| Beresford, Sir Paul | Grylls, Sir Michael |
| Biffen, Rt Hon John | Hague, William |
| Blackburn, Dr John G. | Hamilton, Neil (Tatton) |
| Bonsor, Sir Nicholas | Hampson, Dr Keith |
| Booth, Hartley | Hanley, Jeremy |
| Boswell, Tim | Hannam, Sir John |
| Bottomley, Peter (Eltham) | Harvey, Nick |
| Bottomley, Rt Hon Virginia | Haselhurst, Alan |
| Bowden, Andrew | Hawkins, Nick |
| Bowis, John | Hawksley, Warren |
| Boyson, Rt Hon Sir Rhodes | Heathcoat-Amory, David |
| Brandreth, Gyles | Hicks, Robert |
| Brazier, Julian | Horam, John |
| Bright, Graham | Hordern, Rt Hon Sir Peter |
| Brooke, Rt Hon Peter | Howard, Rt Hon Michael |
| Brown, M. (Brigg & Cl'thorpes) | Howarth, Alan (Strat'rd-on-A) |
| Browning, Mrs. Angela | Howell, Sir Ralph (North |
| Bruce, Ian (S Dorset) | Norfolk) |
| Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) | Hughes Robert G. (Harrow W) |
| Burns, Simon | Hughes, Simon (Southwark) |
| Burt, Alistair | Hunt, Sir John (Ravensbourne) |
| Butcher, John | Hunter, Andrew |
| Butler, Peter | Hurd, Rt Hon Douglas |
| Campbell, Menzies (Fife NE) | Jack, Michael |
| Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln) | Jackson, Robert (Wantage) |
| Carrington, Matthew | Jessel, Toby |
| Carttiss, Michael | Johnson Smith, Sir Geoffrey |
| Cash, William | Jones, Gwilym (Cardiff N) |
| Clappison, James | Jones, Nigel (Cheltenham) |
| Clark, Dr Michael (Rochford) | Jones, Robert B. (W Hertfdshr) |
| Clarke, Rt Hon Kenneth (Ruclif) | Kellett-Bowman, Dame Elaine |
| Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey | Kennedy, Charles (Ross,C&S) |
| Coe, Sebastian | Key, Robert |
| Congdon, David | Kilfedder, Sir James |
| Conway, Derek | King, Rt Hon Tom |
| Coombs, Anthony (Wyre For'st) | Kirkhope, Timothy |
| Cormack, Patrick | Kirkwood, Archy |
| Couchman, James | Knapman, Roger |
| Cran, James | Knight, Mrs Angela (Erewash) |
| Currie, Mrs Edwina (S D'by'ire) | Knight, Greg (Derby N) |
| Curry, David (Skipton & Ripon) | Knight, Dame Jill (Bir'm E'sfn) |
| Davis, David (Boothferry) | Knox, Sir David |
| Day, Stephen | Kynoch, George (Kincardine) |
| Deva, Nirj Joseph | Lait, Mrs Jacqui |
| Devlin, Tim | Lang, Rt Hon Ian |
| Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James | Lester, Jim (Broxtowe) |
| Dover, Den | Lidington, David |
| Duncan, Alan | Lilley, Rt Hon Peter |
| Duncan-Smith, Iain | Lloyd, Peter (Fareham) |
| Dunn, Bob | Lord, Michael |
| Durant, Sir Anthony | Luff, Peter |
| Dykes, Hugh | Lyell, Rt Hon Sir Nicholas |
| Eggar, Tim | Lynne, Ms Liz |
| Evans, David (Welwyn Hatfield) | MacGregor, Rt Hon John |
| Evans, Jonathan (Brecon) | MacKay, Andrew |
| Evans, Nigel (Ribble Valley) | Maclean, David |
| Evans, Roger (Monmouth) | McLoughlin, Patrick |
| Evennett, David | McNair-Wilson, Sir Patrick |
| Faber, David | Madel, David |
| Fabricant, Michael | Maitland, Lady Olga |
| Fenner, Dame Peggy | Malone, Gerald |
| Field, Barry (Isle of Wight) | Mans, Keith |
| Fishburn, Dudley | Marland, Paul |
| Forman, Nigel | Marshall, John (Hendon S) |
| Forsyth, Michael (Stirling) | Martin, David (Portsmouth S) |
| Forth, Eric | Mates, Michael |
| Fox, Dr Liam (Woodspring) | Mawhinney, Dr Brian |
| Fox, Sir Marcus (Shipley) | Mayhew, Rt Hon Sir Patrick |
| Merchant, Piers | Sproat, Iain |
| Mitchell, Andrew (Gedling) | Squire, Robin (Hornchurch) |
| Mitchell, Sir David (Hants NW) | Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John |
| Moate, Sir Roger | Steel, Rt Hon Sir David |
| Molyneaux, Rt Hon James | Steen, Anthony |
| Monro, Sir Hector | Stephen, Michael |
| Montgomery, Sir Fergus | Stern, Michael |
| Nelson, Anthony | Stewart, Allan |
| Neubert, Sir Michael | Streeter, Gary |
| Nicholls, Patrick | Sumberg, David |
| Nicholson, David (Taunton) | Sweeney, Walter |
| Nicholson, Emma (Devon West) | Sykes, John |
| Norris, Steve | Tapsell, Sir Peter |
| Oppenheim, Phillip | Taylor, Ian (Esher) |
| Ottaway, Richard | Taylor, John M. (Solihull) |
| Page, Richard | Taylor, Matthew (Truro) |
| Paice, James | Temple-Morris, Peter |
| Patnick, Irvine | Thomason, Roy |
| Patten, Rt Hon John | Thompson, Sir Donald (C'er V) |
| Pawsey, James | Thompson, Patrick (Norwich N) |
| Peacock, Mrs Elizabeth | Thornton, Sir Malcolm |
| Pickles, Eric | Thurnham, Peter |
| Porter, Barry (Wirral S) | Townsend, Cyril D. (Bexl'yh'th) |
| Porter, David (Waveney) | Trend, Michael |
| Portillo, Rt Hon Michael | Trimble, David |
| Powell, William (Corby) | Twinn, Dr Ian |
| Rathbone, Tim | Tyler, Paul |
| Redwood, Rt Hon John | Viggers, Peter |
| Rendel, David | Walden, George |
| Renton, Rt Hon Tim | Wallace, James |
| Richards, Rod | Waller, Gary |
| Rifkind, Rt Hon. Malcolm | Ward, John |
| Roberts, Rt Hon Sir Wyn | Wardle, Charles (Bexhill) |
| Robertson, Raymond (Ab'd'n S) | Wells, Bowen |
| Robinson, Mark (Somerton) | Wheeler, Rt Hon Sir John |
| Roe, Mrs Marion (Broxbourne) | Whitney. Ray |
| Rowe, Andrew (Mid Kent) | Whittingdale, John |
| Ryder, Rt Hon Richard | Widdecombe, Ann |
| Sackville, Tom | Wilkinson, John |
| Shaw, David (Dover) | Willetts, David |
| Shaw, Sir Giles (Pudsey) | Wilshire, David |
| Shephard, Rt Hon Gillian | Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton) |
| Sims, Roger | Winterton, Nicholas (Macc'f'ld) |
| Skeet, Sir Trevor | Wolfson, Mark |
| Smith, Tim (Beaconsfield) | Wood, Timothy |
| Smyth, Rev Martin (Belfast S) | Yeo, Tim |
| Soames, Nicholas | Young, Rt Hon Sir George |
| Speed, Sir Keith | |
| Spencer, Sir Derek | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Spicer, Sir James (W Dorset) | Mr. David Lightbown and Mr. Sydney Chapman. |
| Spicer, Michael (S Worcs) | |
| Spink, Dr Robert |
| NOES | |
| Adams, Mrs Irene | Brown, N. (N'c'tle upon Tyne E) |
| Ainger, Nick | Byers, Stephen |
| Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE) | Callaghan. Jim |
| Ashton, Joe | Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge) |
| Austin-Walker, John | Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V) |
| Bayley, Hugh | Campbell-Savours, D. N. |
| Bennett, Andrew F. | Canavan, Dennis |
| Benton, Joe | Cann, Jamie |
| Bermingham, Gerald | Clapham, Michael |
| Bray, Dr Jeremy | Clelland, David |
| Clwyd, Mrs Ann | McLeish, Henry |
| Connarty, Michael | McMaster, Gordon |
| Cousins, Jim | Mahon, Alice |
| Cryer, Bob | Mandelson, Peter |
| Cunningham, Jim (Covy SE) | Marshall, Jim (Leicester, S) |
| Dafis, Cynog | Maxton, John |
| Dalyell, Tarn | Meale, Alan |
| Davidson, Ian | Michael, Alun |
| Davies, Ron (Caerphilly) | Michie, Bill (Sheffield Heeley) |
| Davis, ferry (B'ham, H'dge H'l) | Milburn, Alan |
| Dewar, Donald | Miller, Andrew |
| Dixon, Don | Morgan, Rhodri |
| Dobson, Frank | Morley, Elliot |
| Dowd, Jim | Mowlam, Marjorie |
| Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth | Mudie, George |
| Eagle, Ms Angela | Mullin, Chris |
| Enright, Derek | Murphy, Paul |
| Etherington, Bill | O'Brien, Michael (N W'kshire) |
| Evans, John (St Helens N) | O'Hara, Edward |
| Ewing, Mrs Margaret | Olner, William |
| Flynn, Paul | Pickthall, Colin |
| Foster, Rt Hon Derek | Pike, Peter L. |
| Foulkes, George | Powell, Ray (Ogmore) |
| Fyfe, Maria | Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lew'm E) |
| Gerrard, Neil | Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) |
| Golding, Mrs Llin | Primarolo, Dawn |
| Gordon, Mildred | Purchase, Ken |
| Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S) | Quin, Ms Joyce |
| Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) | Raynsford, Nick |
| Gunnell, John | Robertson, George (Hamilton) |
| Hain, Peter | Rogers, Allan |
| Hall, Mike | Rooker, Jeff |
| Hardy, Peter | Rowlands, Ted |
| Hill, Keith (Streatham) | Ruddock, Joan |
| Hinchliffe, David | Salmond, Alex |
| Howarth, George (Knowsley N) | Short, Clare |
| Howells, Dr. Kim (Pontypridd) | Skinner, Dennis |
| Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N) | Smith, Andrew (Oxford E) |
| Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N) | Soley, Clive |
| Hughes, Roy (Newport E) | Spellar, John |
| Hutton, John | Steel, Rt Hon Sir David |
| Jackson, Glenda (H'stead) | Strang, Dr. Gavin |
| Jackson, Helen (Shef'ld, H) | Taylor. Mrs Ann (Dewsbury) |
| Jones, Barry (Alyn and D'side) | Tipping, Paddy |
| Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C) | Turner, Dennis |
| Jones, Lynne (B'ham S O) | Walley, Joan |
| Jowell, Tessa | Warden, Gareth (Gower) |
| Keen, Alan | Watson, Mike |
| Kennedy, Jane (Lpool Brdgn) | Welsh, Andrew |
| Khabra, Piara S. | Wicks, Malcolm |
| Lewis, Terry | Williams, Alan W (Carmarthen) |
| Litherland, Robert | Wilson, Brian |
| Lloyd, Tony (Stretford) | Winnick, David |
| Llwyd, Elfyn | Wise, Audrey |
| Loyden, Eddie | Worthington, Tony |
| McAllion, John | Wright, Dr Tony |
| McAvoy, Thomas | |
| McCartney, Ian | Tellers for the Noes: |
| McFall, John | Mr. Peter Kilfoyle and Mr. Eric Illsley. |
| McKelvey, William | |
| Mackinlay, Andrew |
§ Question accordingly agreed to.
§ Bill read the Third time, and passed, with amendments.