§ 42. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will circularise local education authorities with a view to ensuring that they shall purchase, for use in their schools, all available supplies of certified and Grade A (T.T.) milk; and whether he is aware that a farmer in the Westhoughton Urban District Council's area holds a Ministry cf Health licence for the production of certified and Grade A (T.T.) milk, and would be able to supply all the schools within that area with that milk?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)My Noble Friend understands that certified and Grade A (T.T.) milk are outside the scope of the Milk. 1759 Marketing Board's scheme, unless the producer is prepared to supply these varieties as ordinary milk and becomes registered with the Milk Marketing Board as a producer. He does not propose to circularise local education authorities in the sense suggested. As regards the second part of the question, my Noble Friend's attention has not been drawn to the circumstances mentioned.
§ Mr. DAVIESMay I ask whether it is competent for the local authority to make up the difference by payment to the farmer for the best quality milk?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMYes, I think that is so, having regard to what the ratepayers may say and possibly the district auditor.
§ Mr. PIKEDoes the same thing apply when the farmer happens to be the Cooperative Wholesale Society?