§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to ensure that the period of 10 weeks between the coming into force of schemes made under the Agriculture Marketing Acts shall be a period of 10 weeks from the completion of the register of producers or, alternatively, that the register must be completed and available to objectors within three weeks of the coming into force of the scheme.
§ Mr. NugentI assume that this Question relates to the statement on 9th March that in future a period of not less than 10 weeks would be normally allowed beween the coming into force of a scheme and the completion of the initial poll. This includes the time taken to compile the register, and would normally give enough time both for the completion of the register and for the canvassing of producers. If in any particular case it seemed likely that the compilation of the register would take an abnormally long time, the question of providing for a longer period would certainly be considered.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps have been taken to implement the changes promised regarding approval of schemes under the Agricultural Marketing Acts, 1931–49.
§ Mr. NugentThe new arrangements described in the statement of 9th March were brought to the notice of the National Farmers' Unions, by whom marketing schemes are normally promoted. The attention of existing marketing boards has also been drawn to particular points as occasion arises. Provisions intended to88W give effect to the new arrangements as appropriate have been incorporated in the draft amendments of the Milk Marketing Scheme and in the draft Fat-stock Marketing Scheme.