§ 23. Mr. LEONARDasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Scottish Milk Marketing Board imposes a charge upon all registered milk producers for transport, based upon presumed delivery to Glasgow, Edinburgh, or Dundee, thereby making a profit on transport charges; and whether he is prepared to consider the revision of this practice in order to bring it into line with the English practice of charging the producer with the costs incurred only between the farm and the actual point of delivery?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part the committee of investigation for Scotland, as the hon. Member is aware, recently recommended that six additional haulage centres should be provided in the eastern district, and I am at present considering their recommendation.
§ Mr. LEONARDWill the right hon. Gentleman expedite this matter in view of the discontent that is occurring in Scotland?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe hon. Member may not be aware that I am meeting the various parties concerned next Friday.
§ 25. Lord SCONEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now able to make a statement regarding the position of the milk industry in Scotland?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI assume that my Noble Friend refers to the milk situation in the East of Scotland. The meeting with representatives of interested parties to which I referred in my statement on Friday last, has been postponed, on the request of the East of Scotland Milk Producers' Federation, till Friday next.
§ Lord SCONEWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask whether, in the event of agreement being reached on the proposals made by the committee of investigation, such proposals will necessitate further legislation or not?
§ Sir G. COLLINSNo, Sir.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYWill my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of excluding isolated rural communities in the North of Scotland from the operation of the marketing scheme?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThat matter does not arise on the question.
§ 27. Mr. HENDERSON STEWARTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Milk Board intend to publish a report on their first year's working similar to the report recently published by the Potato Marketing Board?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe first report of the board covering the period from 26th May, 1933, to 31st January, 1934, has already been issued. I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend. Further information with regard to the working of the scheme is contained in the Official Journal subsequently published by the board and issued every month.