§ 64. Mr. BECKERasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will approach the milk combine with a view of ascertaining the prices paid for milk from the producer and the prices charged to the consumer?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. R. Smith)The operations of the company to which the hon. Member refers are, in the main, confined, so far as the distribution of liquid milk is concerned, to the London area, and the price paid to producers is usually determined in accordance with an annual contract the terms of which have been agreed between the representatives of producers and distributors. At the present time the price paid to producers, subject to the conditions of the contract, is 1s. per gallon delivered to buyer's station. The usual retail price in the London area is 2s. per gallon.
§ Mr. BECKERIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that that margin of profit is too much?