Oral answer to question provided on Monday, 13 June 2011 in the House of Lords, by Baroness Wilcox (Conservative).

Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill

Answer: My Lords, we all agree that we wish to get this legislation through as quickly as we can. We have widespread cross-party support, and one retailer, Waitrose, already supports it, as do bodies representing suppliers, including farmers and third-world producers. However, as my noble friend knows, we have to go through the legislative process. If we can bring the Bill forward any earlier than we are aiming to do at the moment, then we certainly will, but there is a very full legislative programme and everyone thinks that what they have to do is extremely important. However, I fully agree with my noble friend and I, too, should like to see the legislation brought forward earlier.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Monday, 13 June 2011 by Lord Avebury (Liberal Democrat).

Question: My Lords, is my noble friend aware that many Members in another place who represent agricultural constituencies—primarily my honourable friend the Member for Ceredigion—have campaigned for some years for legislation along these lines to afford protection to agricultural producers against the abuse of monopoly power by large retailers? Would it not be wise therefore to take these interests into account and to press on with the Bill as rapidly as possible?

Secondary information