§ 33. Sir R. CLOUGHasked the Minister of Agriculture if the attention of his Department has been called to the increases in the retail prices of milk and eggs; to what cause, or causes, such increases are attributable; whether they are general; and whether, seeing that normally both these commodities are cheaper in summer than in winter, he can inquire into the matter?
The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)I am aware that retail prices of milk and eggs have recently increased. In the case of milk, the general increase is, I understand, a penny a quart, and is due to the increased 1214 prices recently agreed to be paid to producers in order to cover the cost of production. I would remind the hon. Member that the price of this commodity fell very heavily in April. The price of eggs normally falls in the spring, when supplies become more abundant, and commences to rise again in May or June, when supplies begin to fall off. Prices both of milk and eggs are at present much below what they were last summer.
Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increase in the price of milk is partly due to the increase in the cost of production, which, in turn, is due to the operation of summer time?
§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in certain districts the price of milk has never fallen below eightpence a quart to the consumer?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI am not aware of that. The average price was fivepence from April. It is now up to sixpence.
§ Mr. RICHARDSONI have never paid less than eightpence a quart.