HC Deb 14 May 1969 vol 783 cc1381-2
9. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the increase in artificial and filled milk, what steps his Department is taking to protect consumers from misleading descriptions when they purchase these synthetic products in restaurants, snack bars and retail shops.

Mr. Hoy

None, Sir. The consumer is already protected by the Foods and Drugs Act, 1955, which makes it an offence to sell either of these products under the designation "milk".

Mr. Mills

As the hon. Gentleman is also responsible for food, is he satisfied that the consumer is not being tricked into thinking that he is getting wholesome liquid milk when all the time he is getting nothing more than an ersatz substance? Is it not time for the consumer to be protected from this sheer trickery?

Mr. Hoy

There is a considerable amount of protection already in existence. For example, it is absolutely false and illegal to use the word "milk" if it is not milk that is being supplied.

17. Mr. Mills

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the increased amounts of artificial milk used in restaurants, snack bars and domestic kitchens, what steps he is taking to protect the pool price paid to the British dairy farmer.

Mr. Hoy

All the factors affecting returns to milk producers are considered at the Annual Review. Producers are protected by the guaranteed price for the standard quantity, which at present includes more than 80 per cent. of milk sold off farms.

Mr. Mills

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that this trend of using ersatz milk is having a serious effect on the prices paid to the dairy farmers and that this and increased costs, coupled with the Government's failure to control imports, are making the dairy farmers' condition very serious?

Mr. Hoy

In such a situation we would try to give protection, but the cumulative effect over many years has not been more than a ½d. a gallon.

Dr. John Dunwoody

When my hon. Friend is considering milk prices, will he bear in mind the importance of this industry to some regions, and particularly to some development areas?

Mr. Hoy

This is one of the things we have always to keep in mind. Within our agricultural policy we have a great responsibility to the dairy industry, but we also have to remember that there is a consumer interest as well.