§ 1. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Food the total consumption of full-price liquid milk by the public in January, 1953; and how this compares with the corresponding period a year earlier.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Charles Hill)109.57 and 110.91 million gallons, respectively.
§ Mr. DoddsIs the Minister not concerned about this big reduction in milk consumption which is so vital to the health of the nation, and does he not now see that the increased cost of living and the increased cost of milk is having a harmful effect?
§ Dr. HillThe hon. Gentleman will realise that the decline between the two months he mentioned is only 1.2 per cent., that the milk not so consumed all goes for cheese or infants' foods, and that there has been a decline in welfare milk, in which there has been no price change whatever.
§ 12. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Food the consumption of full price fresh milk for the month of March.
§ Mr. WilleyWould not the Minister agree that this shows again a substantial reduction on last year's figure, which was an appreciable reduction compared with the previous year? Will the hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that there will be no further increase in the price of milk this year?
§ Dr. HillThe hon. Member knows that I cannot give any such assurance on this subject. For the rest, I refer him to the reply I have given to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds).