§ 20. Mr. GRIMSTONasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that hardship is still being caused to a number of farmers by reason of delay on the part of the Milk Marketing Board in sending out milk cheques; and what steps he is taking to remedy this state of affairs both now and in the future?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI would refer my hon. Friend in the first place to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Captain Heilgers) on 30th November, of which I am sending him a copy. As regards the future my hon. Friend will no doubt have seen the announcement in this morning's Press by the Milk Marketing Board that payment of all accounts for November milk duly certified by both producer and buyer which reach the Board's offices by 9th December will be made by 18th December. Accounts delivered to the Board's offices from 9th to 16th December, will be paid by 23rd December.