HC Deb 27 February 1956 vol 549 cc810-1
10. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reply he has received from the Central Milk Distributive Committee concerning competitive tendering for the supply of milk to schools; and whether, in an effort to reduce Government expenditure, he will conduct an inquiry into the cost of distribution.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Harmar Nicholls)

The Central Milk Distributive Committee has been informed of the Government's view that all school milk should be bought by local education authorities at competitive prices and no reply is necessary.

My Department investigates general milk costs but no useful purpose would be served by a special investigation into the costs of school milk distribution because they vary so widely as to invalidate any general conclusion.

Miss Burton

Is the Minister aware that that is a terrible reply even from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food? Is he further aware that his right hon. Friend said he would look into distribution costs wherever figures were given to him? Is he aware that in the Report of the Public Accounts Committee definite evidence is given of cases where wholesalers have refused supplies of milk to retailers who offered a discount? Is he still not prepared to look into the matter?

Mr. Nicholls

The hon. Lady can be quite certain that my right hon. Friend is making it perfectly clear all through the trade that we wish to see competitive prices for supplies to schools. Everything that can be done to make that clear is being done, and at the moment there are rather favourable signs that we are likely to get better results in the future than we have had in the past.

17. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has yet received the proposals of the Shorthorn, Ayrshire, and Red Poll cattle breed societies for extending the differentials to reward high fat content in milk, and so meet the public demand for quality milk and if he will arrange for his technical officers to review this matter afresh with the Milk Marketing Board.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. G. R. H. Nugent)

Yes, Sir. Since the responsibility for payments to producers rests with the Milk Marketing Board the breed societies have been advised to submit their proposals to the Board.

Mr. Hurd

Will the Minister tell us whether his Ministry recognises that a problem exists here and that there has been some deterioration in the composition of milk over the last twenty to thirty years? Will his Department keep at any rate a friendly eye on these discussions between the breed societies and the Milk Marketing Board to see whether it is possible for the public to have milk of an improving composition?

Mr. Nugent

Yes, Sir. We realise that there may be an increasing problem with solids-not-fat in milk. We should like to await the results of these discussions with the Milk Marketing Board, but I can assure my hon. Friend that we are very much concerned about this matter and wish to see a successful outcome.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Will the Minister say whether there is any reason for believing that Ayrshire milk is not of the best quality.

Mr. Nugent

I think that usually it is excellent.