§ 68. Sir Percy Hurdasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps are being taken, or suggested, to rationalise milk deliveries according to districts so as to obviate the waste of several milk firms delivering milk in the same street?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Lennox-Boyd)I would refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave in reply to his similar question of 22nd 248 November. The matter is still under consideration by the trade interests concerned.
§ Sir P. HurdIs my hon. Friend aware that that answer has nothing whatever to do with this question; and will he kindly give me an answer to my question?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am sorry to disappoint my hon. Friend but the question which he asked on 22nd November did relate to the problem of the rationalisation of milk deliveries.
§ Sir P. HurdBut was not the same question.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have done my best to answer my hon. Friend's present question, by reference to the previous reply.
§ Sir P. HurdThat is no answer.
§ 72. Mrs. Tateasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that foodstuffs for cattle have increased in price by £2 per ton and that dairy-farmers are not getting the 1d. increase for milk usual at this time of year; and what he proposes to do to mitigate the serious position of the farmers of England?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Feedingstuffs (Maximum Prices) Order of 29th September last prohibits the sale of the feeding-stuffs mentioned in a Schedule to the Order at prices above pre-war level, except that for certain lots under 2 tons, increased charges are allowed. These increases, however, do not approach the figure of £2 per ton. I shall be glad to have any information with which my hon. Friend can supply me as to infringements of the Order. As regards milk, I understand that the usual winter increases paid to dairy farmers are now in operation, as the terms of the usual milk contracts have not been changed.
§ Mrs. TateIs my hon. Friend aware that a great many people are unable to obtain over two tons of feeding stuffs and that therefore the regulated price is of not the smallest benefit? I will gladly send him particulars which I have of the increase in prices. Is my hon. Friend also aware that the position of farmers at present is worse than it was before the war, and that is saying a great deal?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn answer to the hon. Lady's supplementary question 249 about prices to farmers, the usual seasonal increases have now been introduced, and the Milk Marketing Board have under consideration what increases in producers' prices are necessary, to meet any increase n the cost of production.
§ Mr. John MorganMay we ask that that proposed increase to the producers will not be passed on to the consumer, but that the Government themselves will shoulder this impost?