HC Deb 24 June 1936 vol 313 cc1760-1
51. Mr. PETHERICK

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average cost of milk retail, for liquid consumption, in the month of June in the years 1929, 1933, 1935 and 1936?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

Particulars obtained by the Ministry of Labour, for the purpose of calculating changes in the cost of living, show that average retail prices of milk in the United Kingdom on 1st June were, in 1929, 5¾d. per quart; in 1933, 5½d. per quart; in 1935 and in 1936, 6d. per quart.

Mr. PETHERICK

Is my hon. Friend entirely satisfied that, in view of the un-remunerative price the farmers are at present obtaining, the relation between retail and wholesale prices is justified?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

That is a much larger question, and I cannot discuss it at the moment.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that these figures indicate that the Milk Marketing Scheme so far has been a failure, seeing that the price for liquid milk is higher a few years after the operation of the Milk Marketing Scheme than it was previously?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

I do not think for a moment that that conclusion is justified.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Does the hon. Gentleman then suggest that the higher the price of liquid milk, the greater the success of the scheme?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

I make no such suggestion.

Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWN

Is my hon. Friend aware that although the retail price is higher, the producer is getting a lower price?