§ 65. Sir PHILIP MAGNUSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can give any in formation as to the extent to which milk is now used for various manufacturing purposes, especially in the manufacture of chocolate; whether he is aware that in the Severn Valley, where a large amount of butter and cheese was formerly made, the milk is now extensively bought by a firm of chocolate manufacturers, who daily collect it in motor trolleys, and thus lessen the supply for domestic purposes, preventing milk from being used not only in the making of cheese and butter, but in feeding calves and pigs on the residual whey and skimmed milk; and whether the Board propose to take any action to prevent this uneconomic use of milk?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)My hon. Friend has asked me to answer this 573 question. I am informed that the firm of manufacturers to whom the question alludes will this year follow their usual practice of suspending the use of fresh milk for manufacturing purposes in the months of December to February.
§ Sir P. MAGNUSHas the cost of milk increased owing to the use of milk for this purpose?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot answer that question.
Captain BATHURSTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the agents of chocolate firms have only recently commenced purchasing farmers' milk—which used formerly to go into the villages—at higher prices than the local purveyors could afford to pay?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot say. The question refers to a particular firm, about which I made inquiry.