HC Deb 12 December 1938 vol 342 cc1594-6
50. Mr. David Adams

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether lie will consider extending the scheme under which the Milk Marketing Board at present supply cheap milk to schools for liquid consumption to those local authorities who provide, through central kitchens, free meals to necessitous children, as large quantities of milk are used at these institutions for cooking purposes but at the ordinary liquid consumers' prices.

Mr. W. S. Morrison

The milk-inschools scheme is designed to encourage the drinking of liquid milk. Accordingly, milk supplied under the scheme cannot be used for cooking purposes, and I cannot hold out any hope of this restriction being removed. I would point out, however, that the Milk Marketing Board's contracts allow the sale of milk to local authorities in consignments exceeding one gallon at only 1¾d. a gallon more than the wholesale price.

Mr. Adams

In view of the importance to many local authorities of the details of the question which I have submitted, will the Minister consider re-instituting that scheme in the new resuscitated Milk Bill?

Mr. Morrison

I think the hon. Gentleman is in error in his suggestion as to the purposes of this scheme, which is to encourage the drinking of liquid milk. It cannot be extended to cooking purposes, which is quite a different matter.

Mr. Adams

Does it not make a difference to the children?

52. Brigadier-General Clifton Brown

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the postponement of the Milk Industry Bill, and of the importance of encouraging production of quality milk, he can give an assurance that premiums will continue to be paid for attested -herds, tuberculin tested and accredited milk on the same scale as at present for the next four years?

Mr. Morrison

The postponement of the Milk Industry Bill does not, of course, affect the provisions of Section 20 of the Agriculture Act, under which payments may be made up to 31st January, 1941, in respect of attested herds. As regards the remainder of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given last Thursday to the hon. Member for Northern Cumberland (Mr. W. Roberts).

Mr. Leach

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Bill is actually postponed or dead?

62. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give an undertaking that the postponement of the Milk Industry Bill will not prejudice the continuation of financial assistance in respect of the supply of cheap milk to children and expectant mothers?

Mr. Morrison

Increased provision for Exchequer grants towards cheap milk schemes was made in the Milk (Extension and Amendment) Act, 1936, and under this legislation grants can be continued up to the end of next September. As regards the long-term policy, I regret that I am unable at the moment to add to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 1st December.

Mr. Williams

From that reply, are we to assume that no scheme or schemes for the provision of cheap or free milk for expectant mothers and young children between the ages of one and five are possible until a new Milk Bill becomes law?

Mr. Morrison

The position is covered until the end of next September. What will be the form of any extension of that must await consideration.

Mr. Williams

Are we to understand that a general scheme for the provision of cheap or free milk for expectant mothers and children between the ages of one and five will be strictly limited until some further Bill is forthcoming?

Mr. Morrison

Unless there is a further Bill the position will remain as it is under the present Statute, which runs until the end of September.