§ 50. Sir W. Brassasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the general disquiet which exists among members of the cheese-making industry in Lancashire as to their prospects after the war, he will see that the Milk Marketing Board gives an undertaking to creameries about to be classed as redundant that they will be reinstated as purchasers of milk by wholesale at the termination of the present emergency and be allowed all such terms for manufacture of milk products as may then be applicable to the dairy industry as a whole?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Mabane)My Noble Friend is unable to give definite undertakings of the kind suggested regarding the post-war period. He has, however, promised, as the hon. and gallant Member is aware, that so far as he may be in a position to exercise influence the claims to reinstatement of creameries now declared redundant will be seriously considered.
§ Sir W. BrassWhy is it not possible for the Minister to give this undertaking, because the Milk Marketing Board is a permanent organisation, while his Department is not; and is it not a fact that the Milk Marketing Board is a competitor and it is very unfair to leave these people in the air as the Government are doing?
§ Mr. MabaneAs I indicated, it is not possible to pledge any future Government. The manner in which the concentrated firms will resume their activities after the war will depend on general Government policy at that time.
§ Sir W. BrassDoes the Minister realise that the Milk Marketing Board is a competitor of these people and will be in a position to go on after the war while these cheesemakers will not be in a position to do so?