§ 55. Mr. Kendallasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has agreed that the figures submitted to his Department by the Milk Marketing Board and the National Farmers' Union prove that the two increases in wages have involved milk producers in an extra cost of 2½d. per gallon; and whether he will consent to review the whole of this question again so that the three-tenths of 1d. per gallon offered by his Ministry towards the 2½d. increase shall be revised to meet the full increased cost imposed upon milk producers.
§ 60. Major Manningham-Bullerasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has now considered information which shows conclusively that the price paid to farmers for milk should be increased by 2½d. a gallon; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.
§ 66. Sir Adam Maitlandasked the Minister of Agriculture if he has considered particulars submitted by milk producers to his Department of increased costs amounting to 2½d. per gallon and upon what grounds the claim has not been met.
Mr. HudsonI am glad to have this opportunity of correcting a widespread the misunderstanding. It is not the fact that either the Milk Marketing Board or the National Farmers Union have claimed that the figures which they have submitted to my Department prove that the two recent increases in wages have involved milk producers in an extra cost of 2½d. per gallon. The submission was based on a claim for only 1½d. per gallon as representing recoupment for increased costs.
§ Mr. KendallIn view of the Minister's statement does he not agree that the increase of.3d. is still not sufficient to meet the 1½d. per gallon which he has just mentioned?
§ Major Manningham-BullerHas the Minister not had his attention drawn to the statement in the provincial Press that the farmer is now to receive.3d. per gallon increase?
Mr. HudsonIt depends which farmer the hon. and gallant Member is referring to. Some will receive.3d., some will receive 1½d.
§ Major YorkIs it not the question that the Minister's costing accounts are different from the Milk Marketing Board's costing accounts and are not the Milk Marketing Board costing accounts more likely to be correct than those of the Minister?
Mr. HudsonNo, Sir, as a matter of fact the Ministry's costing accounts and the Marketing Board costing accounts are one and the same. I had better deal with that in the Debate.
§ Brigadier-General Clifton BrownIs it not a question of transport charges?
§ Mr. KendallIn view of the great dissatisfaction throughout the farming community will the Minister not reconsider the whole of this matter?