§ 75. Sir R. COOPERasked the President of the Board of Trade if the information at his disposal shows that an increase in the cost of milk to the consumer in London is about 8d. per gallon more than the price ruling a year ago, and that the increased price paid to the farmers in few cases reaches an increased price to-day of 2d. per gallon compared with a year ago; if so, is he satisfied that the increased price of distribution during the last twelve months reaches 6d. per gallon; and, if not, can he say where the difference goes?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Pretyman)As I pointed out to the hon. Gentleman yesterday, there has been a general allowance of 5d. to 6d. per gallon on the contract prices paid to farmers before the War. It would appear from the statistics at my disposal that up to May last year the increase of contract price paid to the farmers had not, generally speaking, been passed on to the consumer, so that a comparison with a year ago is really misleading.