§ 1. Mr. Stodartasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the Government do not intend to encourage the expansion of milk production in the United Kingdom for manufacturing purposes.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Fred Peart)More milk will be available for manufacturing as a result of the expansion of the dairy herd which is wanted in order to meet beef requirements; and this will help to meet the growing consumption of milk products. But the production of milk specifically for manufacturing purposes is not generally economic in this country.
§ Mr. StodartIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the words in this Question are the exact words taken from the Commonwealth Intelligence Bulletin on the subject of the recently concluded New Zealand Trade Agreement and that they are quite incompatible with the statement in the National Plan? Is not this a case of the right hon. Gentleman saying one thing to the New Zealanders and another to the home farmer?
§ Mr. PeartIt is not and the hon. Member should not try to assume that. I have explained to New Zealanders and to our own home producers that the National Plan stands and that by 1970 we shall aim to achieve the demand for more food by an expansion of the dairy herd and which will inevitably result in more by-products of milk.