§ Mr. Harrisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received the report of the public inquiry into the objections made to the proposed amendment to the potato marketing scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerMy right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales and I have received the report of His Honour David Peck, who conducted the public inquiry into objections to the proposed amendments to the potato marketing scheme. The main effects of the amendments would be to:—
(i) increase the maximum excess area contribution from 5 to 10 times the formula rate used to work out the level of producers' ordinary contributions; and(ii) increase the maximum penalty on producers for supplying false information to the Board, and other similar offences, from £200 to £2,000.The report recommends that these two amendments should be adopted subject to one modification. This is that the maximum excess contribution should be increased in two stages, from five to seven times the formula rate for the 1987 and 1988 crops, with a further increase to 10 times the rate thereafter. Ministers have accepted these recommendations and notice of the modification has been given today to the Potato Marketing Board. If the board accepts the modfication the amendments (as modified) will be laid before Parliament shortly.The report also makes recommendations on a number of administrative points, which will be taken up with the board.
The report of the Inquiry is being published today and I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the the Library of the House. I have written to His Honour David Peck, on behalf of the Agriculture Ministers, thanking him for a comprehensive report.