§ 50. Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the hardship caused to small shopkeepers, pensioners, holiday makers, single persons living on their own and other consumers by his refusal to impose a wholesale price for ultra heat-treated milk, he will now fix the price as he fixes the maximum retail price; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. John Mackie)I have no evidence that the present price arrangements give rise to hardship to shopkeepers or consumers.
§ Mr. LomasDoes the Minister appreciate that many of these small shopkeepers do not stock this type of milk that these people want mainly because the Ministry fixes the maximum retail price but does nothing about the wholesale price, and small shopkeepers cannot negotiate with the giant monopolies? The Minister should do something about it. What action will he take?
§ Mr. MackieI agree that the profit margin on ultra heat-treated milk is less than on the normal grocery items, but the controlled retail price of milk is geared to large-scale household distribution. Shopkeepers are free to decide whether to keep this milk for the convenience of their customers. They can decide that for themselves.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsIs it not time that the Government reviewed the whole price fixing mechanism concerning the retail price of milk with a view to abolishing the Government's role in fixing the margins of profit?
§ Mr. MackieNo.