§ 28. Brigadier-General Clifton Brownasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Milk Board's returns for last year show a decline in the average pool prices paid to the producer as compared with the previous year's returns; and whether he is now prepared to put in force forthwith amendments to the Act to ensure that no further decline takes place in liquid milk-producers' prices?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)I am aware that the average pool price for the year ended 31st March last was .07 of a penny per gallon of milk less than the price for the previous year, but I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that, in addition to the pool prices, accredited producers receive a bonus of one penny per gallon, the cost of which was equivalent to a deduction from the pool fund of .35 pence per gallon in 1936–37 compared with .19 pence per gallon in 1935–36. Allowing for the bonus for accredited milk, the average gross return to producers was greater in 1936–37 than in the previous year by .09 of a penny per gallon. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
Brigadier-General BrownIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the pool prices paid to the producer were less this year than they were last year?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have given an answer as to the gross returns of the pool.