38. Lieut.-Colonel A. HERBERTasked the Food Controller who is benefiting by the 2d. deducted from the price of every gallon of milk produced in the Southwestern counties?
40. Captain TERRELLasked the Food Controller if he will make a statement as to the ultimate destination of the fund which is being formed from the 2d. per gallon extra paid to the producers of milk in the four Western counties?
Mr. ROBERTSI will answer these questions together. In the case of milk produced in the four South-Western counties and sold by retail within the area, the benefit of cheaper supplies goes to the local consumer. Where the milk produced in these counties is exported to other districts the purchasers pay to the Ministry of Food the difference of 2d. per gallon between the price of such milk and that of milk produced in the rest of the country. The money collected in this way is paid into a fund which is to be utilised for the benefit of consumers throughout the country. The precise application of the fund is under consideration.
Lieut.-Colonel A. HERBERTWhat is going to be the name of the fund that is going to help consumers all over the country?
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTIs the right hon. Gentleman certain that he is getting all these twopences?
Mr. ROBERTSI have grave doubts of being certain about anything in these matters, but I am as certain as it is possible to be.
59. Captain TERRELLasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that 321 two officials of the Ministry of Food hold licences for the sale of Grade A milk, one of them being the Director of Milk Supplies himself; and whether, under the circumstances, he proposes to advise that the grant of these licences be withdrawn so long as the holders occupy an official capacity?
Mr. ROBERTSI have been asked to reply. With regard to the first part of the question, only one official of the Ministry of Food, the Director of Milk Supplies, holds a licence for the sale of Grade A milk. This licence was issued in accordance with the general conditions laid down by the Local Government Board and after investigations which lay outside the control of the Director of Milk Supplies. The system of milk production employed by this gentleman is generally admitted to be of the highest value as showing what can be done by scientific methods, and I am satisfied that there are no grounds on which the licence should be withdrawn.