§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the report of the Committee of Investigation for England and Wales set up under the Agricultural Marketing Act 1958 which he received in February this year.
§ Mr. John SilkinThis independent committee is established under Section 19 of the Agricultural Marketing Act 1958. It has reported to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and myself on a complaint about the operation of the milk marketing scheme in respect of Channel Islands milk which was referred to the committee in 1976. The committee's principal conclusions were that (a) the Milk Marketing Board was not guilty of any improper act, or omission, in its administration of the scheme in respect of the complainants; and (b) neither the public interest nor the interests of consumers were adversely affected by the arrangements for Channel Islands milk.
My right hon. and learned Friend and I have now considered the report and reached the conclusion that the public 710W interest does not require us to take any further action in the matters of the complaint. The committee considered some questions which were additional to the complaint and I understand that the Milk Marketing Board is examining the detailed points which were covered in this way; it would not be appropriate for me to comment on these questions, which are for the Board to discuss with interested parties.