HC Deb 15 December 1952 vol 509 cc948-9
12. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Food in respect to the 2 per cent. reduction in the quantity of milk supplied to the public in October, 1952, as compared with October, 1951, in what groups and to what extent fluctuations took place; and by what methods the information was obtained.

Major Lloyd George

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Dodds

In view of the statement last week by the Parliamentary Secretary that the reduction is in the higher income groups, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consult the large milk retailers who will tell him, on the overwhelming evidence of their roundsmen, that following the last price increase it is among the poorer customers that the reduction has taken place, particularly where there is a large family, and among old-age pensioners? Will the Minister consult them?

Major Lloyd George

I must tell the hon. Gentleman that the best system known in this country for checking on all parts of the country is the National Food Survey—

Mr. Dodds

But those figures are only up to September.

Major Lloyd George

I know. I will give the October figures as soon as I can. But up to the end of September, as the hon. Gentleman will see when he reads my reply, the biggest fall in consumption is in the higher income groups. The consumption among old-age pensioners, as the hon. Lady the Member for Coventry, South (Miss Burton) would like to know, has not fallen off.

Mr. Dodds

I am talking of the 2 per cent. reduction which is for October, and the Minister admits he has not the figures. Why will he not consult the milk retailers?

Major Lloyd George

I prefer to wait and obtain the survey which I shall get in due course. It is no use going on what hon. Gentlemen opposite say from time to time. The proper way is to get the survey, which is a national survey.

Sir H. Williams

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend urge on the T.U.C. that there should be no more differentials in wages, so that all skilled men may be brought down to the level of unskilled men?

Following is the information:

The following table shows the average consumption of milk by different income groups during the third quarter of this year (the latest period for which information is available) and during the corresponding period a year ago.

Pints per person per week
Weekly income of head of household July to September, 1951 July to September, 1952
A. £13 and upwards 6.1 5.8
B. £8 to £13 5.0 4.8
C. £4 10s. to £8 4.6 4.6
D. Under £4 10s. 4.6 4.6
E. Old Age Pensioners (included in D) 4.7 4.7
Average for all households 4.79 4.76

This information was obtained from the National Food Survey, and is based on records of food purchases by a representative national sample of households.