HC Deb 23 February 1948 vol 447 c1600
69. Mr. Niall Macpherson

asked the Minister of Food what is the cost per gallon of milk of transporting it from Locherbie to Edinburgh and back to Locherbie and of pasteurising it in Edinburgh at the United Dairies plant, respectively.

Mr. Strachey

The cost of transporting milk from Locherbie to Edinburgh is 1.95d. per gallon in churns, and 1.125d. per gallon in road tankers. I have no information about the other costs.

Mr. Macpherson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost of pasteurisation is about 2d., and this means that it is costing 5d. to make milk unpalatable to consumers in Locherbie? Will the Minister ensure that they get a chance of changing from pasteurised milk if they wish to do so?

Mr. Strachey

I cannot agree that it is to make milk unpalatable; it is to make it safe.

Mr. Somerville Hastings

Does my right hon. Friend also remember the great improvement to health, and the removal of the risk of infection, which results from pasteurisation?