§ 8. Mr. LAMBasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that farmers who delivered milk direct to buyers within the Metropolitan police area during the operations of the Hyde Park milk pool have been refused payment of the price stipulated in their contracts where such price was in excess of ls. per gallon; and whether such refusal is based on any order or regulation issued by his Department?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am informed that, during the period in which the strike took place, the price under the form of contract settled between the National Farmers' Union and the milk distributive trade was is. per gallon; that the majority of the farmers were supplying milk on this basis; but that some had entered into separate contracts at rates less than this and some at rates higher and with varying conditions. I understand that the Pool Committee found it impossible to make their arrangements on the basis of large numbers of individual contracts and stated in advance that payment would be made on the basis of the National Farmers' Union contract. This results in everyone getting equal treatment during the strike, though in some cases suppliers are receiving more money than they would under their own contracts and in other cases less money.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERFor the gallon usually suppliel.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his reply does not indicate that these farmers were exploiting the situation at that moment?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir. My answer indicates that every farmer was treated exactly alike.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThat is not an answer to my question. Does not the answer indicate that there were farmers who were exploiting the situation?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not think so. It is true that some farmers suggested they might he paid a little more than they were in fact paid; but every farmer was paid the same.
§ Mr. MARCHDid not the Board of Trade issue an Order that the distributors were to charge extra per pint or quart to the consumers?
§ Mr. LAMBIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that some farmers were giving extra services for extra payment, and that they are not now receiving that?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am not criticising in the least, but it is obviously impossible in an emergency to pay on a whole variety of contracts. Notice was given that a flat rate would be paid, and that rate was the general rate agreed to with the Farmers' Union. I do not think it is unreasonable for a man to ask that his contract should be carried out if it is possible, but it was not in the least possible.
§ Mr. CONNOLLYWhy were orders given to advance the price of milk by 2d. a quart?