HC Deb 18 November 1946 vol 430 cc504-5
36. Mr. Gammans

asked the Minister of Food if the Milk Distribution Working Party have yet started working; and what progress has been made.

Mr. Strachey

The Committee on Milk Distribution has been at work for eight weeks and is making progress. [Laughter.] Hon. Members who laugh may not like its progress when it has made it. This Committee is, however, composed of independent members, and I do not expect to receive detailed progress reports until they are ready to submit their final recommendations.

Mr. Gammans

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea when the Working Party are' likely to submit their final recommendations?

Mr. Strachey

They will move as quickly as possible. We are much more concerned in getting a right answer, than in getting an answer on any particular date.

37. Mr. Anthony Greenwood

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that the directors of United Dairies, Limited, at their 31st ordinary general meeting held on 25th October, recommended the payment of a final dividend on the ordinary stock of 10 per cent. actual, less tax, making 15 per cent. for the year and a special non-recurring taxfree bonus of 2½per cent., he will consider the possibility of reducing the controlled selling price of milk.

Mr. Strachey

No, Sir. But, as the House knows, I have appointed a special committee of inquiry which will, I hope, soon furnish me with a report on the whole question of milk distribution.

Mr. Greenwood

While I thank the Minister for his answer, does he not think that it is most undesirable that these fantastic profits should be made out of the distribution of milk at a time when we are providing more than £300,000,000 a year to keep down the cost of living?

Mr. Strachey

The appointment of this committee of inquiry is probably an indication that we do not think the present situation of the distribution of milk is permanently satisfactory.

Mr. Cobb

Does not the Minister agree that these figures indicate that the distribution costs of milk are too high, and is he aware that a paper issued by the Coalition Government in 1942 showed that the distribution costs of milk by the Cooperative Society in some parts of the country were only half what they were in London? Will he arrange for the distribution costs in London to be brought down to those for other parts of the country?

Mr. Strachey

These are just the matters at present under consideration.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

Have not the employees of the Cooperative Society been showing some disgruntlement?