HC Deb 22 June 1938 vol 337 cc1083-4
86. Mr. Alexander

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to make a statement with regard to forthcoming milk legislation, having regard to the fact that the provisions of the existing temporary Measures expire on 30th September next?

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

I regret that owing to the pressure on Parliamentary time it will not now be possible for legislation to give effect to the Government's proposals contained in the White Paper on Milk Policy issued in July, 1937, to be introduced and considered this Session. The Government hopes, however, to introduce such legislation early next Session and, as an interim Measure, proposes to ask Parliament to pass before the Summer Recess a Bill to extend the chief provisions of the Milk Acts, 1934 to 1937, for a further 12 months until 30th September, 1939, and, as proposed in paragraph 8 of the White Paper, to release the Milk Marketing Boards from liability accruing after 30th September last to repay to the Exchequer the advances made under the Milk Acts in respect of manufacturing milk. An extension of Section II of the 1934 Act will enable Exchequer contributions to be made towards the cost of the schemes referred to in paragraphs 20 and 21 of the White Paper, namely cheap milk for school children and for expectant and nursing mothers and children under school age, and in order to facilitate the development of those schemes the Government proposes to ask Parliament to provide an additional £750,000 instead of the £500,000 hitherto made available annually.

Mr. T. Williams

In view of the great anxiety in the minds of liquid milk consumers owing to the recurring increases in price, cannot the Government expedite their Measure, seeing that there is no chance of any immediate reduction in the price of liquid milk while the distribution is not rationalised?

Mr. Morrison

The Government are anxious to proceed with their main Bill, but the exigencies of Parliamentary time this Session have rendered it impossible to introduce it.

Mr. Leach

Cannot the Government consider having another Session?

Mr. Maxton

Did the Minister say that there is to be an additional £750,000 on top of the existing £500,000?

Mr. Morrison

The figure of £750,000 is the total. There is to be an addition of £250,000 to the £500,000 hitherto made available.