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Padfield v Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food [1968] AC 997

Facts: The Minister was given discretion to set up a committee of investigation on a complaint regarding the milk marketing scheme. The scheme created nine regions and milk producers in those regions had to sell their milk to the Milk Marketing Board, which had fixed the price for milk several years before, by reference to transport costs. The south-eastern region wished to amend the scheme, but could not get a majority on the Board so made a complaint to the Minister. The Minister refused to refer the matter to a committee of investigation, and an application for mandamus (the old name for a mandatory order) was made to the court. The House of Lords concluded that the Minister had acted for an improper purpose.