HC Deb 27 July 1936 vol 315 cc1091-3
67. Captain W. T. SHAW

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to allay the dissatisfaction among milk producers in the Dundee district because of the delay on the part of the Milk Board in collecting the producers' supplies; and whether he is aware that there have been instances where, owing to the delay, the milk has gone bad and the board have returned it to the producers and have refused to pay for it, although the deterioration in the milk was due to the negligence on the part of the board in collecting?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Lieut. - Colonel Colville)

I have been in communication with the Scottish Milk Marketing Board, who state that, while they have had to reject a small quantity of milk in the Dundee district on account of its poor quality, this was not necessarily due to defects in the haulage arrangements. I may add that the board do not themselves undertake haulage in that district. It is in the hands of licensed haulage contractors, and each registered producer may select his contractor. The board are, however, reconsidering the transport arrangements in the Dundee district, and I understand that they are in communication with the hon. and gallant Member on the subject.

Captain SHAW

Are we to understand that the board refuses to accept responsibility for its own enactments?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

I understand that the question is being investigated by the board, but if the hon. Member has any information to give I shall be happy to receive it.

Captain McEWEN

Is the Milk Board still in existence?

68. Duchess of ATHOLL

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Milk Marketing Board or the Scottish agricultural colleges have worked out the average cost per gallon of seasonal and all-the-year-round milk production, respectively, in both the eastern and western portions of the area of the scheme; and, if so, will he state the approximate dates of the ascertainments and the figures ascertained?

Lieut.Colonel COLVILLE

A joint inquiry into the costs of milk production is being carried out by the three agricultural colleges and the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. The inquiry is not yet completed, and I therefore regret that I am unable to give my Noble Friend the information she seeks.

Duchess of ATHOLL

Does my hon. and gallant Friend not agree that it is a serious matter that the different costs of production, seasonal and all the year round, were not ascertained before it was decided that under the milk scheme the price should be the same in both areas?