§ 10. Sir PERCY HARRISasked the Minister of Agriculture how the present retail price of milk in the principal industrial centres compares with previous years; whether he is satisfied that it is not excessive; and, if not, whether he will take steps to bring about its reduction?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE(Mr. Elliot)I regret I have not sufficient information about retail prices of milk in previous years to answer completely the first part of the question, but I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a recent report of the Consumers' Committee for England, from which he will see that, after considering data covering most of the principal towns, the committee found that in many cases retail milk prices had risen since 1933. The committee's report raises questions which are within the scope of the Milk Reorganisation Commission for Great Britain, and I have asked that commission to take the report into consideration in connection with any proposals they may formulate for the improvement of organised milk marketing. I should mention further than the Food Council are at present conducting an investigation into the margins between wholesale and retail prices, upon which the Consumers' Committee made some observations. As to the second part of the question, the hon. Member will appreciate that until the 1583 reports of the Reorganisation Commission and the Food Council are received and considered, it would be undesirable for me to express any opinion. As to the last part, I have no power to enforce reductions in retail prices.
§ Sir P. HARRISAre we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is giving very close attention to this problem of increased prices?
§ Mr. ELLIOTYes, Sir.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs it not a fact that the only result of the efforts of the Milk Marketing Board is to sell the milk at a higher price