HC Deb 29 February 1972 vol 832 cc241-2
16. Mr. Duffy

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what instructions he has given the Milk Marketing Board regarding the price of milk supplied to schoolchildren through local authority schemes; and how this compares with the prevailing price available to their parents.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

This is not a matter within the control of the Milk Marketing Board. The price of milk supplied to pupils in schools depends on the actual purchase price negotiated by local education authorities and on the expense of providing it.

Mr. Duffy

Nevertheless, is the Minister aware that the Milk Marketing Board has been actively persuading local education authorities to sell milk to schoolchildren and that, in a growing number of education areas, the schoolchildren are paying 2p for their third of a pint, which is a ½p more per pint than their mothers are paying for the cheapest milk delivered by the rounds-man? In one education area by the summer children will be paying 3p for a third of a pint, which represents a 64 per cent. increase over what their mothers will be paying for the same milk from the shops. Is there no limit to the economic silliness of the Minister's right hon. and hon. Friends on their decision to deprive 7 to 11-year-old schoolchildren of free school milk?

Mr. Stodart

The maximum retail price for pasteurised milk is 2p for a third of a pint.

Mr. Duffy

That is what I said.

Mr. Stodart

Schools should not pay more than the maximum price, and they may very well be able to get it for less.