§ 69. Mr. H. G. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that this year the London County Council, who have been supplied for many years with milk by private milk distributors, have awarded the contract for the majority of their supplies to the Milk Marketing Board without inviting tenders; and whether he can give an assurance that the Milk Marketing Board do not propose to sell the milk to the London County Council below that minimum price to which all wholesale distributors of milk are bound and which is imposed upon them by the Milk Marketing Board itself under the provisions of the wholesale contract?
§ 68. Major Procterasked the Minister of Agriculture the terms on which arrangements have been made by the Milk Marketing Board to supply milk to the London County Council without the contracts being put out to tender; and whether, in view of the fact that the board has prevented distributors from quoting prices below a certain minimum through their wholesale contract, he has satisfied himself that the Milk Marketing Board has not itself undertaken to supply 2474 milk to the London County Council below the minimum price in question?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI have no authority to obtain information regarding the terms on which milk has been bought by the London County Council. These matters do not come within my discretion.
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsWill my right hon. Friend ask the Milk Marketing Board whether they will be good enough to supply information on a voluntary basis?
§ Mr. MorrisonIf I did possess the information I am advised that I should be precluded by Section 17 of the Agricultural Marketing Act from disclosing it.
§ Mr. G. StraussIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London County Council buy their milk on the best terms for the benefit of the ratepayers and the institutions which are supplied?