§ 34. Brigadier - General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will request the reorganisation committee for milk now sitting to issue before September some announcement indicating the lines on which their proposals will be evolved so as to help and be a guide to those engaged in fixing milk prices next autumn?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe fact that the problems confronting the milk industry are being actively investigated by the Milk Reorganisation Commission should in itself conduce towards friendly and helpful negotiation on milk prices next autumn, but while it is within the Commission's discretion to make interim representations to me if they think fit, I do not feel that it is desirable that I should give them instructions in the matter.
Brigadier-General BROWNIn view of the opinion expressed by the Conservative party when the Act was passed that it should be concurrent with a measure of protection, could not the Commission now make some announcement that the by-products of the milk and dairy business will receive some decent measure of protection?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am certain that the Commission is alive to the necessity of reporting as soon as possible; I am equally certain that it will not serve a good purpose to order it to give a report until it is ready.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the position of the milk industry is serious and that it is urgent that a report should be made before September?