38. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now able to give any information as to the extension of the schemes for supplying cheap milk to children of pre-school age and to expectant and nursing mothers in additional places in the Special Areas?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 10th February to my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) of which I am sending her a copy.
§ 42. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the expenditure of the Milk Marketing Board upon advertising the merits of milk is being largely countered by an advertising campaign sponsored by the British Medical Association, in which all milk which has not been treated by certain methods is stigmatised as dangerous to health; whether he is aware that statements in these advertisements are damaging the interests of farmers producing and selling milk which, though not treated by the methods favoured by the association, is accepted by the Ministry as of satisfactory quality; and whether he will recommend to the Milk Marketing Board an advertising policy which will neutralise the damage done to the industry by unsubstantiated statements sponsored by private interests?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have no information as to whether the advertisements referred to have had the effect ascribed to them, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by suggesting to the 1522 Milk Marketing Board that they should change their present advertising policy, which is designed to encourage the consumption of milk generally.
§ Mr. Garro JonesWithout pressing the matter further now, may I give notice, having regard to the fact that the Minister does not appear to appreciate all the repercussions of this advertising campaign, that I shall raise the matter on an early Motion for the Adjournment?
§ Mr. MacquistenWho supplied the money for these costly advertisements? It was not the doctors.
§ 60. Mr. Sandysasked the Minister of Agriculture when he proposes to introduce a Bill to give effect to the proposals for the development of the Government's milk policy, as announced in Command Paper 5533 issued in July, 1937?
§ Mr. MorrisonLegislation to give effect to the proposals contained in the Government's White Paper on Milk Policy will, I hope, be introduced shortly after the Easter Recess.
§ Mr. HopkinIs the Minister aware that that will be too late for the negotiations for the new contract prices this year?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, Sir. The present position is governed by legislation extending up to the end of September next. That, therefore, covers the hon. Member's point.