§ 53. Mr. E. BROWNasked the Minister of Agriculture the average retail price of milk in the administrative county of Warwick and the average price paid to the producers in the same area?
§ Mr. BUXTONI understand that most contracts for milk delivered to Birmingham for the six months April to September of this year were made at 11½d. per gallon delivered at buyer's station. I have no information as to the prices paid to producers in the administrative county of Warwick. The usual retail prices in those towns in Warwickshire for which information is available are 5d. per quart in some cases and 6d. in others. As the quantities sold are unknown, it is not possible to give an average for the whole county.
§ Mr. A. CHAMBERLAINWill the right hon. Gentleman take such steps as may be in his power to obtain information as to the prices paid to producers; and is it not eminently desirable that we should know, not only the prices charged to the consumers, but the prices paid to the producers?
§ Mr. BUXTONI will see if we can collect further statistics, but I must consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer as to the cost.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKHow can the hon. Gentleman's Department frame a policy to check profiteering if he has not the necessary information on which to act?
§ Mr. BUXTONSeveral of the recommendations of the Linlithgow Report are being acted upon.