§ 64. Brigadier-General Clifton Brownasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Milk Marketing Board have deducted an additional 4d. per gallon from the producers' milk prices in April and May for payment of free milk for mothers and children; and whether retailers are also contributors or whether the producers are bearing the whole cost of the scheme?
Major Lloyd GeorgeMilk prices to producers for the 12 months ending 31st March, 1942, were announced in February last. In accordance with the 1355 pre-war practice, the return to producers during the summer months is always smaller than the return during the winter months. No deduction has been made from producers' returns in respect of the cost of the National Milk Scheme, the whole cost of which is borne by the Government. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.
Brigadier-General BrownDoes my hon. and gallant Friend realise that some milk producers-have been asked to contribute towards the cost of the scheme?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI am afraid my hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. There is no contribution from the milk trade towards the cost of the National Milk Scheme. If somebody has been charged an additional 4d. a gallon for it, I should like to have particulars.
Brigadier-General BrownI should like to show my hon. and gallant Friend my milk marketing return for last month.