§ 34. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to increase the consumption of liquid milk.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeConsumption of liquid milk per head has risen by more than 50 per cent, since 1939. The milk in schools and welfare milk schemes which have contributed largely to this rise in consumption are being continued. After 31st March the responsibility for marketing milk will be returned to the Milk Marketing Boards. We shall co-operate closely with them in any measures necessary to ensure a high rate of consumption.
§ Mr. SwinglerWill the Minister concern himself more with what has happened since he came into office than with what has happened since 1939 which is attributable to the previous Government? Is he not aware that, according to the figures given by his Parliamentary Secretary the other day, the consumption of liquid milk has declined consistently since the right hon. and gallant Gentleman came into office? As it is already comparatively low, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman make an investigation into how far this is due to the fact that he has increased the prices of other foods and, therefore, people who need the milk cannot buy it? Will he not take some action?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI would remind the hon. Gentleman of the first few words of my answer, which were that the consumption of milk has increased by 50 per cent, since July, 1939. If I may say so, the Government of which I was then a member had a great deal more to do with the increase than anything which has happened since. There are, for instance, the welfare and the milk-in-schools schemes with which I was concerned. I would add that one reason we have had a small drop in the consumption of milk is the greater availability of other foods.
§ Mr. WilleyIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that we are all worried by the recent drop in consumption, and that what upsets us is that what the Minister calls a small drop in the consumption of milk is 4 per cent.? In addition, he has made recent announcements indicating that it will drop still further. Will he be frank with the House and say to what level he expects the ordinary consumption of milk to drop?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeAs usual, the hon. Gentleman is wrong in the figures. To show how difficult it is to take par- 1732 ticular periods for the purpose of comparison, I would point out that the consumption of milk this January is up on the consumption last January.
§ Mr. WilleyWill the Minister look into the matter again and consider my figure?