§ 13. Sir PERCY HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the forthcoming negotiations between the Milk Marketing Board and the milk buyers, he will now state what measures 2282 the Government propose to take to maintain the price payable to dairy farmers for milk used for manufacturing purposes?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement of policy with regard to milk products which I made on 25th July in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Maldon (Sir E. Ruggles-Brise), to which I have nothing to add.
§ Sir P. HURDIn order to safeguard the producers in the forthcoming negotiations, could my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the guaranteed price of manufacturing milk will be continued for the whole year of the new contract period?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am afraid that I cannot make a statement so important as that at the present time. I can only say that there will be negotiations; I cannot go any further.
§ Sir P. HURDCan we have a statement before the House rises?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am afraid that I shall not be able before the House rises to go further than my statement of the 25th.