§ 7 and 9. Mr. Snowasked the Minister of Food (1) which members of the Milk Marketing Board will be responsible for watching the interests of distributors;
(2) what arrangements are being made, When the Milk Marketing Board takes over, to continue the payment of incentives to distributors for the pasteurising and heat-treatment of milk supplied to the public; and how far account is to be taken of the heavy capital investment already incurred.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe parties concerned have agreed to the setting up of a Joint Committee composed of representatives of the Milk Marketing Board and the Central Milk Distributive Committee. This Committee will look after the general interests of the industry. So long 372 as a consumer subsidy continues the Government remain responsible for the level of prices and distributive margins, which includes allowances for heat treatment. The safe milk policy will be continued.
§ Mr. SnowThe right hon. and gallant Gentleman will appreciate that I put down my Questions before the publication of a report on the recent discussions with the interests concerned. Am I right in assuming from his reply now and the written answer he gave to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) yesterday that, if and when the consumer subsidy ends, the whole position must be reviewed?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeYes, Sir. So long as any subsidy remains, the whole of the fixing of margins is in the hands of the Government.
§ 8. Mr. Snowasked the Minister of Food what arrangements are being made by his Department to discuss safeguarding the interests of dairymen and consumers before his Department hands over power to the Milk Marketing Board.
§ 21. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Food whether he will make a further statement on his proposals regarding the future of the Milk Marketing Board.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) yesterday.
§ Mr. WilleyCan' the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say at what figure he intends to maintain the subsidies next year? What is his ultimate intention regarding the subsidy on liquid milk, apart from the welfare scheme?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI could not possibly say anything about that on this occasion.
§ Mr. RoyleWill there be any representation of dairymen and distributive interests on the Milk Marketing Board?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeNo, Sir. We cannot have that, by statute. There are only representatives appointed by the Minister of Agriculture and producer representatives on the Milk Marketing Board.