§ 1. Mr. Monroasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the price of milk will result in expanded output at the rate planned in his November statement on the expansion of agriculture; and if he will make a statement.
§ 11. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present level of profitability for milk producers; and what steps he is taking to increase the margin.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Cledwyn Hughes)The determinations at the recent Farm Price Review are consistent with the Government's production objectives and will enable the efficient dairy farmer to secure a reasonable return.
§ Mr. MonroHow many beef cows does the Minister expect from the dairy herd this year? What saving does he expect on imported milk products?
§ Mr. HughesIt is difficult to make a precise projection on the figures. It depends on a number of complex factors. I am satisfied that over the four-year period we shall achieve the objective for 1972–73.
§ Mr. AndersonWhat work has been done in the Department on the effect on consumption of higher prices?
§ Mr. HughesThe present Review will impose no additional burden on the consumer.
§ 17. Mr. Brewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the level of milk sales for liquid consumption this year.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. James Hoy)Sales through the marketing schemes of milk for liquid consumption are expected to be marginally less this year than in the April/March year just ended.
§ Mr. BrewisWhat effect are sales of liquid milk substitutes likely to have on these milk sales? As the substitutes are often reconstituted milk powder, sometimes dumped from abroad, should not the hon. Gentleman be taking some action, such as perhaps imposing minimum import prices?
§ Mr. HoyOne is obviously bound to look at the use of milk substitutes, which is growing but which is not a major problem. I am happy to tell the House that, for instance, the importation of skimmed milk powder went down by about half between 1964 and 1968, from 64,000 tons to 38,000 tons. Imports of whole milk powder declined last year by about a third.