68. Major HENDERSONasked the Food Controller whether he is now in a 235 position to make a statement in regard to any possible reduction in the present retail price of milk, particularly in reference to Glasgow?
The MINISTER of FOOD (Mr. Roberts)I have carefully reconsidered the maximum retail price of winter milk, in view of the opinion expressed by the Milk Prices Investigation Committee. Their opinion was based on the assumption that the average yield per cow in milk was 2 gallons a day, whereas my advisers had estimated that it would not exceed 1½ gallons. I told them that if their estimate was correct I would alter the prices. If the opinion of my advisers was correct, I would adhere to them, and I deferred my decision until I could receive some 80,000 returns of milk production for the week ending Saturday, the 6th December. These returns have now been received, and the summary of results, subject to checking, shows an average production per cow per day as follows:
In the circumstances, I am unable to modify the maximum prices, which were fixed in agreement with the Department of Agriculture after the mast exhaustive investigation into the cost of production that has ever been effected in this country. With one recommendation of the Investigation Committee I was always in strong sympathy—namely, that steps should be taken to secure for children under five years of age and for nursing and expectant mothers adequate supplies of milk. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health agrees with me that all practicable steps should be taken in this direction, and I am, with his concurrence, issuing an amendment of the prsent Order which governs the price and distribution of milk in these cases.
England and Wales 1.33 gallons. Scotland 1.68 " Great Britain 1.35 "
§ Sir M. DOCKRELLWhat is the yield of an Irish cow?
§ Mr. W. THORNEWhat is the price of milk in Scotland and in this country?
Mr. ROBERTSI cannot say from memory, but Scotland is subject to the maximum price which prevails in the country.
§ Mr. THORNEWhat is the amount? Is it less than in this country?
§ Mr. HAYDAYHas my right hon. Friend's attention been called to a statement by a farmer that they had the whip hand and intended to keep it, while discussing this very problem of food prices?
§ Mr. HAYDAYYou have not seen that?
Major HENDERSONIn what respect is the right hon. Gentleman going to amend this Order with regard to mothers' milk?
Mr. ROBERTSA strong objection has been advanced to the use of the word"necessitous"in the Order, and that has been interpreted to restrict the supplies of this cheaper milk to cases which have to be proved after investigation to be necessitous. We propose now to invest the local authority with power to give it in such cases where they feel the local circumstances warrant it.
Mr. ROBERTSI am in consultation with the Minister of Health, and I hope we shall be able to do it this week.