74. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, with a view to raising the low standards of many milk-producing farms, County War Agricultural Executive Committees are now empowered to serve compulsory improvement orders upon the farmers concerned with a view to an improvement in the quality of the milk supplied?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (Mr. T. Williams)Very satisfactory progress has been made in the production of quality milks in recent years and a substantial proportion of the total output is now of accredited or higher standard. In these circumstances, it would hardly seem appropriate, under the difficulties of wartime production, to compel farmers to conform with higher standards of quality than were considered necessary in peace time.
Mr. AdamsIn view of the fact that these committees have power to enter into individual farms in order to ensure the maximum production of food, surely it is not unreasonable that farms which have a very low standard should have their standard raised in order to produce pure milk, which they are not doing at present?
§ Mr. WilliamsMy hon. Friend will readily appreciate that to secure a large expansion of quality milk would involve large structural alterations in the buildings to comply with the Orders of the Ministry of Health. I rather fear—and I am sure he will agree with me—that instead of increasing the supply, those difficulties during war time might conceivably lead to a decrease.