HL Deb 10 July 1979 vol 401 cc870-1WA
The Earl of KINTORE

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they propose to issue the report on the study of marketing of store livestock in Scotland undertaken by the Hill Farming Advisory Committee for Scotland.

The Earl of MANSFIELD

This useful study has now been completed and a report has been published today. Copies are available in the Library. The production of store livestock in Scotland is an extremely important sector of Scottish agriculture, representing about one-fifth of the total value of Scottish agricultural output. The report makes a number of recommendations for improvement in the marketing of store animals but states that, by and large, the present system of marketing works well. Most of the recommendations contained in the report are directed specifically towards the various bodies concerned in the marketing of store livestock and publication of the report will give them an opportunity to examine their activities in the light of the committee's useful work. The Government will of course examine those recommendations which are directed towards them to see whether any action ought to be taken.

Lord BOYD-CARPENTER

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On how many occasions since the beginning of 1978 have Ministers of the Crown laid before Parliament in dummy reports which at the time of that laying they had not themselves yet received; and whether this practice has received the specific approval of the Select Committee on Procedure.

Lord SOAMES

I am not in a position to answer for the practice of Ministers of the Crown in a previous Administration. Since the present Government took office, five papers have been laid in dummy form; in each case the paper had already been received by the Minister concerned or by his department acting on his behalf.

I understand that no report from the Select Committee on Procedure in recent years has dealt specifically with the practice referred to in the Question.