§ Mr. Roebuckasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the Milk Marketing Board is balanced in favour of farming interests; and whether he will take steps to ensure that consumers are adequately represented on the board.
§ Mr. MackieThe constitution of the Milk Marketing Board is laid down in the Milk Marketing Scheme, 1933 (as amended). While there is no provision for representation of consumers as such, my right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales appoint three members from persons who, in the words of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1958, have
had experience and shown capacity in commerce, finance, administration, public affairs or the organisation of workers, or as being specially conversant with the interests of consumers of the regulated product.Furthermore, the Consumers' Committee of England and Wales set up under Section 19 of the Act considers and reports to my right hon. Friends on the effect of the Scheme on the interests of consumers and on complaints made to it by consumers.