HC Deb 21 May 1981 vol 5 c413
15. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage change in the United Kingdom consumption of liquid milk over the past 10 years; and what is his estimate of the aggregate cost of liquid milk distribution at the beginning and the end of that period, respectively.

Mr. Peter Walker

Total liquid milk consumption in the United Kingdom fell by 2.9 per cent. between 1971–72 and 1980–81. My estimate of the aggregate costs of liquid milk distribution in the United Kingdom in these two years is £244 million and £1,046 million respectively. In the same period, the retail price of milk has declined by about 4 per cent. in real terms.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that information. Does not he agree that that lends some colour to the suggestion that the present arrangements for the distribution of liquid milk are not good either for the producer or the consumer? Can he assure the House that he will take careful note of the point made by his marketing adviser, Sir John Sainsbury, that the present system provides a featherbed for the incompetents in the dairy distributing industry and a gold mine for the efficient?

Mr. Walker

I very much disagree with that analysis. Britain is fortunate in having a doorstep delivery service which is socially good, good for the dairy industry, and which delivers fresh milk to the doorsteps of the majority of houses in Britain every day at a cost in real terms that is 4 per cent. less than it was 10 years ago.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I shall call one more question from the Opposition Benches. I shall allow an additional one minute at the end of Prime Minister's questions.

Mr. Douglas

The Opposition welcome the ruggedness of the Secretary of State's reply. Is he fairly confident of the success of the British case now before the European Court?

Mr. Walker

I would be the last to predict decisions of the European Court. Obviously, I consider our case to be fully justified and feel that the European Court should decide in our favour.