§ Lord Gallacherasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether legislation changes will be necessary before the Milk Marketing Board in England and Wales can become a voluntary co-operative of producers and, if so, what changes.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)Under the Milk Marketing scheme the Milk Marketing Board for England and Wales may be wound up and its assets distributed on a poll of registered producers without new legislation. Where a transfer of undertaking to a successor body such as a voluntary co-operative is intended, primary legislation would be required to enable this. Other legislative changes would depend upon the exact nature of the new marketing arrangements being introduced. The Milk Marketing Boards are to submit their proposals for change to the Government by Easter.