HC Deb 02 December 1943 vol 395 cc509-10
49. Brigadier-General Clifton Brown

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a considerable number of milk producers are changing from milk production to other forms of farming owing to continued changes of regulations and interference by Government Departments; and to what extent the present abnormal drop of milk supplies has been added to by the decline in the number of producer-retailers?

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

I have no evidence which suggests that a considerable number of milk producers are giving up milk production. There has not been an abnormal drop in milk supplies. During the year ending 30th September last sales were larger than in any other war year. Sales in October, 1943, were, with one exception, the highest recorded for any month of October.