HC Deb 18 February 1941 vol 369 c95

Motion made, and Question proposed,

"That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £ 50,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1941, for payments in respect of milk used for manufacture in England and Wales, payments for improving the quality of the milk supply in England and Wales, and contributions towards certain expenses of the Milk Marketing Board in England and Wales."

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (Mr. T. Williams)

The grant of £ 50,000 is largely due to an increase in the quantity of milk sold to schoolchildren at reduced prices. I am sure that the Committee will readily concede that this money has been well expended. I ought to add that the Supplementary Estimate is very largely due to the fact that when evacuation started in 1939 there was a serious drop in the quantity of milk consumed by schoolchildren. The consumption from September to December, 1938, was nearly 10,000,000 gallons, while for the same period in 1939 it was reduced to just in excess of 5,000,000 gallons. There has been a very quick recovery, and it is because of that that this Supplementary Estimate of £ 50,000 is sought.

Mr. Lawson

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he has had any complaints about people who are well-placed applying for this cheap milk? I have no specific instances of it myself, but I have heard a considerable amount of talk about well-off people claiming cheap milk.

Mr. Williams

My hon. Friend is referring to a totally different scheme. This £ 50,000 was expended up to the end of last September when the Ministry of Food took over all subsidised milk schemes. The scheme to which my hon. Friend refers is now under the control of the Ministry of Food, and while one may have read in the Press, or heard observations here and there, that some person or persons in affluence are taking advantage of the cheap milk scheme, that in no way affects this Supplementary Estimate.

Question put, and agreed to.