§ 36. Mr. Stokesasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that in summer-time 40 per cent. of the liquid milk produced normally goes to factories at something under 6d. a gallon, he will consider if the total extra required to pay the farmers an adequate price during the summer could be put on the price of milk going to factories and no increase made in the retail price of milk for liquid consumption?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe suggestion made by the hon. Member has already been adopted, and the price of milk for various manufacturing purposes was increased on 1st April. As was stated, however, on 20th March in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson), it will also be necessary to increase the retail price of liquid milk at some date in the summer, but it is at present impossible to indicate that date as the effect of the increased prices for manufacturing milk cannot yet be stated.
§ Mr. StokesWhile it may be true that the price to the factories has been increased, does the Minister not recognise that those people who use milk in factories have made enormous profits and are much better able to bear a further increase in price than the vast majority of the consumers of liquid milk?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe have their costings and everybody's costings under constant review.
§ Mr. John WilmotIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that it is most undesirable to reduce the consumption of liquid milk at a time when the children of the poorer people are going without butter?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe suggestion that there must necessarily be a reduction in consumption may not be justified by the facts.
§ Mr. J. MorganIs it not the case that in the prices which the Minister enumerated last night was a price of 8d. per gallon to certain classes of manufacturers; and could he not put the full price on to them, and then let them make their representations to him and not the consumers?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe complete charges for manufacturing milk are not yet ready, as I pointed out last night. 159 Perhaps the hon. Member would be well-advised to wait until they have been fully prepared.
§ Miss WilkinsonIn view of the Minister's statement that an increase in price does not necessarily mean a reduction in consumption, may I ask whether it is not a fact that his own experts have put down as one of the main causes of the low consumption of liquid milk, the very high prices already paid for it?
§ Mr. PriceIs the Minister aware that the cost of production of milk is now going down, owing to the fact that grass is growing?