75. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to stimulate the consumption of milk as a national food and so encourage dairy farmers in their efforts to make dairy farming a profitable industry?
Mr. GUINNESSI entirely sympathise with my hon. and gallant Friend's desire to stimulate the consumption of milk, and with that object the Ministry does and will do everything in its power to ensure a thoroughly clean and wholesome supply. I am not in a position to undertake propaganda among consumers, which is already conducted by the National Milk Publicity Council, a body formed expressly for the purpose.
Lieut.-Colonel MOOREIs the Minister aware that, owing to the small demand for milk at present as a food, very few farmers, particularly Scottish farmers, can afford to go to the initial expense of clearing their herds of tubercle, so as to provide Grade A, tubercle-free milk, and furthermore—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat seems to be rather too long for a Supplementary Question Perhaps the hon. Member will put the first part of it.
Lieut.-Colonel MOOREIs the Minister aware that, owing to the small demand for milk as a food, Scottish farmers are financially unable to clear their herds of tubercle, so as to provide the Grade A milk which we desire to see instituted as a national food in this country?
Mr. GUINNESSAs this matter affects Scottish farmers, the question had better be put down for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.
Lieut.-Colonel MOOREWould not the Minister consider finding some funds from the Empire Marketing Board, or some such source, to develop a national compaign for milk consumption on the lines, say, of the Mustard Club?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman had better put down any further questions.