§ 21. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what alteration there has been in the number of milk producers in Dorset in the last six months.
§ Mr. HoyThe number of registered milk producers in Dorset declined by 29 in the six months to 30th September, 1966.
§ Mr. DigbyAs Dorset farmers are perforce so dependent on milk production because of the nature of the land, is not this continued decline an indication of lack of profitability?
§ Mr. HoyNo, Sir. This trend has been going on for about 15 years, as everyone in agriculture knows.
§ Mr. StodartIs the hon. Gentleman aware that creameries in Scotland, because of the run-down in milk production in Dorset and elsewhere, are running short of milk because they are having to supply 20,000 gallons a day to England as a result of the feeble and stultifying policy the Minister has followed? Is it not disgraceful that the Scots should be deprived of the milk they should have with their porridge?