§ 27 and 28. Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) what representations he has made in connection with the plans decided upon by the Milk Marketing Board for the allocation of milk supplies to creameries; and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent the inequitable diversion of milk supplies from the smaller creameries which are unable to protect themselves through the medium of the Milk Distributors Consultative Committee or, by reason of expense, through the medium of Section 9 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931;
(2) whether he will instruct the Milk Marketing Board to curtail supplies to the creameries which they have set up since the inception of the Milk Marketing Scheme so long as any creameries operated by private enterprise, and in existence before the scheme came into operation, are short of their normal supplies?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithSave in accordance with Section 9 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, I have no power to direct the board as to the manner in which they shall administer the Milk 2434 Marketing Scheme, and I have not made any representations to them regarding the supply of milk to creameries. I cannot accept the implications of the latter part of the first question.
§ Mr. Craven-EllisWill my right hon. and gallant Friend consider making representations to the Milk Marketing Board and so save these creameries, which were in existence before the establishment of the Milk Marketing Board?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithIt is the duty of the Milk Marketing Board to make the most they can in selling the milk, and I cannot see that they are going beyond it at all.
§ Mr. Craven-EllisWhile I appreciate the fact that the board have to dispose of the milk, cannot the milk be disposed of to these private creameries?
§ Mr. T. WilliamsIs there any reason why the Milk Marketing Board should not sell the surplus milk themselves if they want to do so?