HC Deb 20 June 1917 vol 94 cc1775-6
39. Mr. BYRNE

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what precautions, if any, his Department propose to take to safeguard a supply of milk at reasonable prices for the working classes of Ireland during the coming year?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Duke)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question, and I would refer to the answer I gave to a similar question on the 12th June, to which I have nothing to add except that the fixing of prices for milk, should that course become necessary, will be a matter for the Food Controller, and that I shall take care to be kept informed of the facts of the case.

Mr. BYRNE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the Government will not do something, before it is too late, as a representative of the Department of Agriculture stated a few days ago in Dublin, that there was great danger of a shortage of milk?

Mr. DUKE

All these matters were considered before I answered the hon. Member's question last week.

Mr. BYRNE

What are you going to do? Are you going to do nothing?