§ 29. Major GLYNasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the estimated daily consumption of fresh and tinned milk in Great Britain respectively; what proportion of the fresh milk is distributed by the large dairy companies; how much through the agency of co-operative retail societies; and what proportion of the daily supply is either Grade A or certified?
Mr. GUINNESSAs the reply is rather long, I propose, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ Until the results of the Scottish Agricultural Census and of the Industrial Census of Production for Dairy Produce are available any figures as to the consumption of fresh milk in this country can only be very approximate. It is estimated, however, that the average daily consumption of fresh milk in Great Britain is probably between 2¼ and 2½ million gallons, and of imported tinned milk (used as liquid and for other purposes) about 6,500 cwt., or the equivalent of 210,000 gallons of liquid milk. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, I understand that in the larger towns and cities, from 12 to 15 individual firms, including retail cooperative societies, handle, as a rule, the bulk of the milk supplies, but I have no
18§ counties in North Wales on the 30th June 1926, and the 30th June, 1927, respectively:
§ precise information for the country as a whole as to the proportion handled by what my hon. and gallant Friend calls "the large dairy companies" or by the "co-operative retail societies." It is estimated that "Certified" and "Grade A" milk (including Tuberculin Tested Milk) account for about 1 per cent. of the fresh milk consumed.