HC Deb 26 October 1967 vol 751 cc559-60W
Mr. Hooson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why only one Welsh representative has been appointed to the Distribution Committee of the Meat and Livestock Commission when there are 17 members from England and six from Scotland; and whether he will increase the Welsh representation.

Mr. Pearl

Under the Agriculture Act, 1967, Ministers are required to appoint persons capable of representing every class of interest listed there, and to do so after consultation with the organisations concerned. However, in order that this representation should be effective, it was necessary to reflect the main differences in wholesaling, retailing and other trade practices. At the same time the Committee had to be of workable size. In many cases, therefore, a single member must represent a type of interest for the whole of Great Britain or for England and Wales together, and I am satisfied that the members we have appointed will be fully capable of representing interests in Wales. I therefore see no reason to add to the membership.