Egg Marketing Scheme

HC Deb 24 October 1956 vol 558 cc48-9W

Mr. Baldwin

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement regarding the proposed Egg Marketing Scheme.

Mr. Heathcoat Amory

The promoters' representatives have agreed to the modifications to the draft Egg Marketing Scheme proposed by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself. As this is a United Kingdom scheme, the next step is for the Northern Ireland Parliament, in accordance with the provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Acts, to consider the application of the Scheme to Northern Ireland.

The Scheme as modified has been laid today before the Northern Ireland Parliament for this purpose. Copies are now available in the Vote Office. Subject to early consideration of the Scheme by the Northern Ireland Parliament, I hope to lay it before both Houses of the United Kingdom Parliament next month so that they may consider it before the Christmas Recess.