HC Deb 27 November 1961 vol 650 c12W
94. Mr. Prior

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to amend the Diseases of Animals (Ascertainment of Compensation) Order, 1959, in such a way as to ensure that the Press shall at all times be admitted to tribunals sitting in connection with fowl pest compensation cases.

Mr. Vane

Proceedings under this Order are like any other proceedings under the Arbitration Act. The admission of the Press and the public to these hearings is at the discretion of the arbitrator. The accepted practice is that the public may be excluded if their presence is objected to by either party or the arbitrator. I can see no reason why the procedure for hearing cases concerned with fowl pest compensation should diverge from the accepted practice.