HC Deb 19 November 1941 vol 376 cc308-10
71. Sir Frank Sanderson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the hardship which is being experienced by elderly people, say over 75 years of age, in not being able to secure adequate milk supplies; and will he consider granting them an extra ration on a basis equivalent to the increase to be granted to young children?

Major Lloyd George

The comparative needs of different groups of people for liquid milk have been most carefully considered in conjunction with the Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council. In view of the supply position it has been possible to grant priority of supply only to those whose needs are greatest. Since the Ministry's expert advisers do not put elderly people within this category my Noble Friend would not feel justified in adopting my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Sir F. Sanderson

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that it is a real hardship to these people, and can he not see his way to grant the increase?

Major Lloyd George

My hon. Friend will appreciate that in the matter of giving priority supplies we are governed by the expert advice which we receive, and the expert advice given to us in regard to these cases does not make it necessary, in our opinion, to grant an increase.

Sir H. Williams

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend tell me why the supply of milk is so much shorter this year than last year, having regard to the fact that we have had the best autumn pasture for many years?

74. Mr. David Adams

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of registered milk consumers in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the weekly requirements of 59,532 gallons of one concern being, for the week ended 25th October, 2,396 gallons short and for the week ended 1st November nearly 1,000 gallons short, whilst no tinned milk was available to augment these short supplies; and whether, in future, supplies will be allocated to cover registrations?

73. Mr. Denville

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that there was a considerable shortage of milk in New-castle-upon-Tyne during the week of 27th October and since; and what action does he propose to take to remedy the situation?.

Major Lloyd George

I am aware that Newcastle-upon-Tyne was one of the places adversely affected by the recent sharp reduction in milk production. Arrangements were, however, made to divert additional supplies to the North-East Region from elsewhere, with the result that the position is much improved. Unsweetened evaporated milk has been issued to all dairymen who have ordered supplies and they have been informed that this may be sold at any time to supplement liquid milk supplies in time of shortage.

Mr. Adams

Then I take it that the situation is now regularised and in order?

Major Lloyd George

I very much hope so. There are difficulties in places, but we are trying our best to overcome them.

80. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied that the present method of reducing the supply of milk is a fair one; whether the counties in the South will be affected in the same way as North Staffordshire and Lancashire; to what extent the customers of firms or organisations that contracted to supply the cheap milk schemes and social service schemes will suffer by the cut; and whether he will see that milk in full is supplied to all firms for priority classes, and that the whole of the available milk left over shall be distributed equally to all the people?

Major Lloyd George

The present method of adjusting the declining output of milk to the existing demand safeguards the priority claims of those whose need is greatest and provides the necessary degree of elasticity in the distribution of the available balance. The imposition of the present 15 per cent. reduction in total supplies of distributors made it possible to divert milk from the main producing areas in the South and South-West to the consuming centres of the North and North-West for the purpose of providing sufficient milk to enable dairymen in the areas of short supply to meet the authorised requirements of their registered customers. Having regard to the perishable nature of the product, I am satisfied that this form of control will ensure that the requirements of the priority classes are provided for, and that the balance of supply will be distributed as equitably as possible.

Mr. E. Walkden

Is the Minister not aware that in many areas in the North Midlands and the industrial North generally, the cut imposed upon the non-priority classes amounts in some cases to 50 per cent. of the normal supplies?

Major Lloyd George

I am giving the information which we have. In cases mentioned earlier to-day, the cut appeared to be only about 4 per cent. At the beginning of a scheme of this kind, owing to the fact that large quantities of milk have to be diverted from one part of England to another, there may be temporary inequalties.

Mr. Woods

Is it not a fact that in some places where milk contractors supply schools, the non-priority classes are particularly badly affected?

Major Lloyd George

If the hon. Member will bring to my notice any particular cases he has in mind, I shall be glad to have them looked into.