§ 60. Mr. MACMASTERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether there exists, to his knowledge, a combine to keep up the price of milk to 6d. per quart, to the great injury of the poor of this country; and what are the prices for milk per quart in London, in Berlin, and in Vienna respectively?
Mr. RUNCIMANIn London and in some other large centres of population the retail price of milk is, in general, 6d. per quart. The increase which has 960 occurred in the retail price appears to be-in the main due to the higher prices demanded by the producers, whose expenses have, in the majority of cases, increased considerably. I have no information at present which would lead me to accept the suggestion that the rise of price is due to manipulation by a combine. The information available and the differences in the conditions in the several capitals, do not permit of such a comparison of prices in London, Berlin, and Vienna as the hon. and learned Member requests.
§ Mr. MACMASTERHas the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge of what the prices are in Berlin and Vienna?
§ Mr. BILLINGDoes the right hon. Gentleman intend to include milk in the new Act about to be passed with regard to food?
Mr. RUNCIMANI announced to the House yesterday that at least two of the Orders would apply to milk.
§ Mr. MACMASTERWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question as to the prices in Berlin and Vienna, so far as he has any knowledge?
Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid I cannot answer the question in the form the hon. and learned Gentleman has put it down on the Paper. Our information as to milk supplies in Berlin and Vienna is not as good as it is as to the prices in London.