§ 38. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the increase in the retail price of milk which his board has 557 achieved has not been accompanied by a reduction in the demand and an increase of waste milk?
§ Mr. ELLIOTRetail prices are settled by agreement among the retailers in each area. I understand that in certain areas an increase has taken place, but I have every reason to suppose that the Milk Board is keeping closely in view the necessity of promoting the consumption of milk, and that the board will therefore give close consideration to questions such as those raised by the right hon. Member.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHas the right hon. Gentleman any figures to give us as to the amount of the additional price that is being paid for milk by the consumer each week, so that we can form some sort of idea as to what the cost is likely to amount to?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThat is very far from the question on the Paper.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODPardon me. The question on the Paper is:
Whether he is satisfied that the increase in the retail price of milk …?Surely, the right hon. Gentleman must know how far the increase of the retail price has so far taken effect?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman may be aware, the Milk Board, which has only been a very short time in operation, is now analysing all those figures, and I have no doubt whatever that the Milk Board, formed to promote the consumption of milk, is taking into close review that possibility and with it an increase in price.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman state the number of districts where prices in excess of normal winter prices is being charged by the retailer?
§ Mr. ELLIOTNot without notice.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in my own constituency the price has been put up to 6 ½d. a quart?
§ 39. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made in the negotiations for the restriction of milk imports from the Dominions?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI assume that my right hon. Friend refers to imports of milk 558 products. As regards supplies of processed milks, I hope that the standstill arrangement reached for the months of June to August last will continue to the end of the year. As regards other milk products the situation is unchanged.
§ Mr. LAMBERTDoes the right hon. Gentleman expect to reduce Dominion milk product imports during the rest of the year?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe amount of imported processed milk products has been reduced. I cannot give the figure without notice, but it is a standstill agreement with the Dominions, and there is a reduction of 20 per cent. in the imports from other countries; that is for processed milk. As regards butter and cheese, the position is that we have not been able to secure a reduction in the Dominion consignments.
§ 47. Mr. BATEYasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that at a meeting in Durham on 28th October, 1933, the prices of milk were fixed in some parts of the area at 6d. per quart and in other parts at 7d. per quart, and one housewife will pay 6d. whilst another only a few yards away will pay 7d.; and can he state what remedy those have who pay 7d.?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAs I informed the hon. Member on Thursday last, I have no special knowledge of the prices fixed by milk retailers in the various districts. I hope that any complaints with regard to such prices will be capable of settlement locally but if not they will be investigated by the bodies under the Acts of 1931 and 1933 which are now in process of formation.
§ Mr. BATEYIs it not time that the Minister of Agriculture obtained this information? Is he aware that in the case of two housewives supplied by the same milk retailer even from the same milk can one pays 6d. and the other 7d.? Surely it is time the right hon. Gentleman was getting to know.
§ 49. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Agriculture if he proposes to arm the Milk Marketing Board with powers to cheek the excessive retail prices of milk?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAs I informed the right hon. Gentleman on 9th November, machinery is provided under the Agricultural Marketing Acts for the settle- 559 ment or any complaints about the effect of marketing schemes upon consumers of the regulated products. Should the Committee of Investigation report to me that retail milk prices, either generally or in particular districts, are excessive as a result of the operation of the milk marketing scheme, or as a result of any action or omission of the Milk Marketing Board, it would then be open to me to consider, after consulting the Board of Trade, what action I should take to rectify the matter?
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs my right hon. Friend not aware that some retailers in putting up the price of milk are endangering the scheme by antagonising the consumers, arid that unless he takes action quickly there may be a considerable reaction against the Milk Marketing Board?
§ Mr. ELLIOTSurely, pending the report of the Committee of Investigation which has to judge the issues as to whether or not prices are excessive, I ought not to come in now into a discussion about milk prices.
§ Sir FRANK SANDERSONIs this not a clear indication that any attempt to socialise an industry increases the price to the consumer?
§ Lieut.-Commander AGNEWCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the intention of the Investigation Committee to hold local public inquiries where desired?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe Committee of Investigation will be the judges of their own procedure and will obviously draw it up after a consideration of the problems to which they will have to address themselves.