§ 52. Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture what is his policy with regard to increasing the amount of tuberculin tested milk produced with a view to raising the standard of quality generally.
§ Mr. G. BrownMy right hon. Friend is anxious to increase as far as practicable the production of tuberculin tested milk, and he hopes that the revised Tuberculosis (Attested Herds) Scheme which came into operation at the beginning of this month will be of material assistance.
§ Mr. BossomIf it is the case, as the Minister says, that he wishes to increase the quantity of this milk, why is he decreasing the guaranteed price to the farmers when the cost of producing this milk is increasing steadily?
§ Mr. BrownIf I may say so, I think, that the hon. Gentleman has not looked fully at the terms of the scheme which came into operation at the beginning of this month. If he will look at it again, he will find it does not bear that interpretation.
§ Mr. BossomThe Minister is not right. I have looked at it and so have the farmers.
§ Mr. BrownIf that is so, I cannot guarantee that the hon. Gentleman gets the right interpretation. I shall, however, be delighted to have a word with him about it.