Neil Carmichael
Main Page: Neil Carmichael (Conservative - Stroud)Department Debates - View all Neil Carmichael's debates with the Department for Education
(13 years, 8 months ago)
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Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con)
20. What progress he has made on the implementation of his proposals for a groceries code adjudicator.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Mr Edward Davey)
The groceries code adjudicator Bill is being drafted. I had hoped to publish it before Easter, but now I expect that publication will happen soon after Easter.
Neil Carmichael
I thank the Minister for that encouraging reply. Farmers in my constituency are very anxious to see the introduction of an adjudicator. Will it have sufficient powers to impose financial penalties if there is persistent avoidance of the code of practice?
Mr Davey
When we publish the Bill, the hon. Gentleman will see that we wish to have a reserve power for the adjudicator on penalties, but there is also a real case to be made for the adverse publicity that large supermarkets would face if they breached the groceries supply code of practice.