HL Deb 23 March 1964 vol 256 cc1040-1

2.46 p.m.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD CRAIGTON)

My Lords, I beg to move that the draft Aberdeen and District Milk Marketing Scheme (Application to Banff) (Amendment) Order, 1964, be approved. This Order amends a 1950 Order under which Banffshire milk producers were incorporated into the Aberdeen and District Milk Marketing Board. The Board have in hand a number of improvements to their arrangements. One of these is to reduce the size of the Board in order to expedite business. This reduction will be broadly commensurate for all three counties represented on the Board. In the case of Banffshire, however, the change can be made only by an amendment to the Order which brought the county within the ambit of the scheme. This is the purpose of the Order before the House to-day. As required, the Secretary of State has satisfied himself, by a poll of registered producers in Banffshire, that not less than two-thirds are agreeable.

Moved, That the draft Aberdeen and District Milk Marketing Scheme (Application to Banff) (Amendment) Order 1964, be approved.—(Lord Craigton.)

LORD WILLIAMS OF BARNBURGH

My Lords, the noble Lord said that one of the ideas was to reduce the number of members of the Board so as to expedite business. Is he suggesting that Scotsmen talk too much?

LORD CRAIGTON

My Lords, we are very proud of the way in which the Banffshire and Aberdeen Milk Marketing Scheme operates.

On Question, Motion agreed to.