§ 60. Mr. Hewlettasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the number of creameries in Lancashire which have been-hitherto making Lancashire cheese; the number of such firms which are to be regarded as redundant and suppressed; the basis for the issue of notices of closure; whether regard has been had to next summer's manufacturing programme; the nature of the permitted programme; and what guarantee will be given that after the war all concentrated firms will be allowed to resume on present lines?
§ Mr. MabaneThirty-seven creameries in Lancashire were originally licensed by my Department to manufacture cheese, of which nine were last summer provided with milk for cheese manufacture. No final decision has yet been taken on the manufacturing programme for 1943, so that it is not yet possible to state how many creameries in Lancashire will be required. The notices of closure which have been issued relate to the function of the creameries as redistributors of milk. The actual number which will be kept open as cheese manufacturers will depend on the cheese-manufacturing programme, which has not yet been finally settled. Those creameries which are not required for cheese-making will be regarded as redundant in order to secure the maximum 215 economies in the transport and manpower used in the movement of milk. The manner in which the concentrated firms will resume their activities after the war will depend on general Government policy at the time.
§ Mr. HewlettIs my hon. Friend aware that the Milk Movements Branch of the Ministry of Food has issued notices of redundancy to 15 out of 19 cheese-making creameries in Lancashire?
§ Mr. MabaneYes, Sir. It is indicated in my answer that those notices relate to their function as redistributors of milk.