§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture how many names are on the list of producers that he is required to provide for the promoters of the Fatstock Marketing Scheme.
§ Mr. NugentThis list has to be supplied at the time when the scheme comes into force, and it has therefore to be compiled according to the best information available at that time. At the present stage the exact number of names is unknown.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make available to objectors who have lodged representations and objections with him against the Fatstock Marketing Scheme the official list of producers which he is required to supply to the promoters of a marketing scheme.
§ Mr. NugentIf the Fatstock Marketing Scheme is approved and comes into force, the Agricultural Ministers will be required by the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, to supply the board with a list of producers in order to help them to compile a register for the purposes of the initial poll on the scheme. This list will be based on the agricultural returns, and under Section 80 of the Agriculture Act, 1947, such information may not be divulged except in specified circumstances which include the provision of such information to a marketing board. The board's register of producers will of course be open to public inspection.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture what arrangements he has made for the 42 objectors to the draft Fatstock Marketing Scheme to have access to the register of producers to take copies, each for his own use, within the period of 10 weeks available for compilation of the register and for canvassing before the poll closes.
§ Mr. NugentThe Agricultural Marketing Acts prescribe that every marketing scheme shall provide for the register of producers to be open for inspection at such time as may be specified in the scheme and shall require the board to furnish a copy of the register on request,114W and on payment of such fee as may be specified in the scheme. Paragraph 45 of the draft Fatstock Marketing Scheme does this. It would therefore be for the Fatstock Marketing Board to make the necessary arrangements, if the scheme comes into force.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the National Small Registered Bacon Curers' Association, of Nottingham, and Uttoxeter Urban District Council have lodged objections to the Fatstock Marketing Scheme under the Agricultural Marketing Acts, 1931–49; and if he will now publish revised figures of objectors.
§ Mr. NugentAs was stated in the Gazette and Press notices, objections had to be made to the appropriate Agricultural Minister so as to reach him not later than 12th May. These objections did not comply with that requirement. It will be for the person who conducts the public inquiry to decide whether the objectors concerned should be allowed to appear at the inquiry.