§ 79. Mr. Lipsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his Department have any evidence to show in what way the consumption of liquid milk is affected by the price?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Lennox-Boyd)Variations in the price of milk over recent years have been such that it has not been possible to detect any marked effect upon consumption of the seasonal changes in price which have taken place.
§ Mr. LipsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his reply only shows how much his Department is out of touch with the position. Will he not make representations to his right hon. Friend the new Minister of Food, not to increase the price of liquid milk to consumers?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe are fully acquainted with the consequences in general of price increases of a commodity on consumption. The hon. Member 712 should not forget that since the introduction of the cheap milk in schools scheme the consumption among the children has increased from 8,000,000 to nearly 26,000,000 gallons.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsIs it not the case that all the information at the disposal of the hon. Member's Department has gone to show that the steady increase in price has militated against increased consumption amongst the poor people?