§ 53. Sir S. Reedasked the Minister of Food whether in view of the large destruction of milk bottles and the loss and inconvenience involved, steps will be taken to ensure that milk suppliers demand a deposit from all customers.
§ Dr. SummerskillNo, Sir. A milk bottle usually lasts for some 40 journeys, which compares favourably with other glass containers, and does not suggest that breakages are on an exceptionally large scale.
§ Sir S. ReedWill not the Parliamentary Secretary look into this matter again because the immense destruction of milk bottles causes inconvenience and hardship to those who sometimes cannot get milk delivered in bottles; and also because of the nuisance caused in the countryside by broken bottles being scattered far and wide?
§ Dr. SummerskillThe hon. Gentleman has been misinformed. There is no shortage of milk bottles today, and I would tell him that the milk distributors are given an allowance in their profit margin to cover replacements. Therefore, if we asked for a deposit, we should be paying the milk distributors twice over.
§ Mr. ScollanIs my hon. Friend aware that in the case of jam jars a charge is made, with the result that the breakage and loss of jam jars is about 100 per cent. less than in the case of milk bottles, which are given free and which, in many cases, are obviously wasted?