HC Deb 13 December 1944 vol 406 cc1231-2
69. Mr. Barnes

asked the Minister of Food whether, having regard to the necessity of ensuring adequate nutrition, the Government propose to continue priority supplies of milk to expectant mothers and children after the war; and if so, what steps is it proposed to take to allocate supplies to dairymen and to be assured that dairymen deliver the priority milk as authorised.

61. Mr. Walter Green

asked the Minister of Food whether, having regard to priority needs, it is proposed to regulate the distribution of milk by means of a statutory milk distributors' organisation; and what steps it is proposed to take to regulate the activities of the Milk Marketing Board in connection with distribution.

Colonel Llewellin

No change is contemplated in the present priority arrangements so long as cousumption of milk by the general public has to be restricted. It is as yet too early to say what changes if any may later be made in regard to milk distribution.

Mr. Barnes

Would my right hon. Friend give an assurance that this matter will be reviewed at the earliest opportunity?

Colonel Llewellin

Before we can get over this difficult milk supply position, I do need some 350,000,000 gallons of additional liquid milk per annum. I do not say that we shall not make some alteration in distribution arrangements before we reach that figure, but it will be quite a considerable time.

Viscountess Astor

Is it not true that milk supply to soldiers in hospitals is already being cut down and that tuberculous cases cannot get enough milk? Does not the Minister think it is about time that he seriously considered putting more grain into cows and less into beer?

Colonel Llewellin

My Noble Friend can rest assured that cows are the first priority for any feeding-stuffs, and that the full amount of feeding-stuffs is provided, so that we can get the maximum amount of liquid milk in this country. I have no information whatever that there is a shortage of milk in hospitals. In fact, the latest returns show that hospitals are getting more than they have ever had before.