HC Deb 10 December 1931 vol 260 cc2051-2
84. Mr. LEVY

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action he proposes to take to stop foreign liquid milk being imported into this country in view of the fact that there is more than an adequate supply produced in this country itself?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I am not in a position at present to add anything to the statements I have already made with regard to agricultural policy.

Sir JOSEPH LAMB

Does not my right hon. Friend think that it is unfair that foreign liquid milk should be imported without any supervision whatever and allowed to compete with milk produced here under supervision?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I am taking steps to see that supervision is made, and I am watching the position very closely.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a shortage of milk?

Sir J. LAMB

Will my right hon. Friend say whether that supervision will be during production or only inspection of the milk on arrival in this country?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Naturally inspection on arrival in this country.

91. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the prospect of imports of fresh milk from Norway to the Tyne; can he state what was the destination of the 1,300 gallons which arrived at Newcastle on 7th December; whether there is any known scarcity of milk in this country; and what steps he proposes to take?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Yes, Sir, my attention has been called to this matter. According to the Press, the milk from Norway which was at Newcastle on the 7th December was consigned to a firm at Melton Mowbray. As regards the last part of the question, it is the case that there has recently been an abnormal temporary shortage of liquid milk available to the public in this country, but the situation does not, in my opinion, call for any action of an emergency nature in anticipation of any considered measures that I may submit in due course for dealing with agriculture generally.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

Is not this an entirely new departure in the dumping of milk on Tyneside; and will my right hon. Friend say for the information of the House in What part of the country there was a shortage of milk?

Mr. HARRIS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the working-class prefer home-produced fresh milk, and that if there is a plentiful supply they will always pay more for it?

Mr. MAXTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman send a collection of Buy British literature to the firm at Melton Mowbray?