§ 11. Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Food whether he is prepared to approve the establishment by the Malton and District Dairy Farmers, Limited, of a dairy at Malton with main depot status; and whether, bearing in mind that the project of a Farmers' Co-operative Dairy at Malton with Messrs. Southwicks Wholesale Dairies, Limited, acting as technical managers was first communicated to his Department on 24th August, 1944, he will not approve the establishment of another dairy with main depot status within a radius of 12 miles of Malton.
§ Mr. StracheyThe figure for the 12 months to June, 1949, was 2,980 calories per head per day. It would be exceedingly difficult and expensive to work out the split between rationed and unrationed foods. As the hon. Member has already been informed, I have no objection to a dairy in Malton for pasteurising 756 and bottling, but I cannot agree to give it main depot status, which would require us to divert supplies from existing depots belonging to others. The proposal to establish a depot at Pickering is not open to such objections.
§ Mr. TurtonIs the Minister satisfied that this Farmers' Co-operative has received and is receiving a square deal? Is he aware that one of his officials who was most prominent in reaching this decision was himself a director of the company concerned, Messrs. Southwick's, only four years ago? Without imputing any wrong motive to that official, may I ask whether the Minister, in the interests of all concerned, including that official, will have an independent inquiry into this decision?
§ Mr. StracheyOh, no, Sir, I could not suggest an inquiry, and I resist any imputation on my official's conduct in the matter, but I will certainly look at it again myself if the hon. Member wishes.