§ LORD STRACHIEMy Lords, I beg to ask the noble Earl the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the Questions standing in my name on the Paper—namely, What is the amount received by the Ministry of Food from the four western counties by the deduction of 2d. on the gallon of milk exported from those counties up to the time the deduction ceased; what is the amount up to date of such deduction which has not been paid, but which the Law Officers can be enforced, and if the Ministry of Food are taking or intend to take steps to enforce the payment of such amount; and when payment is made, how does the Ministry propose to apply this large sum.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (THE EARL OF CRAWFORD)My Lords, the total amount received up to the present by the Ministry of Food in respect of the sums of 2d. per gallon charged in the summer months for milk produced in the four south-western counties, which was exported from those counties and utilised in the manufacture of milk products, is £31,901. The total amount due is estimated at £240,000, leaving a balance of £208,099 still outstanding. The Law Officers of the Crown having given their opinion that the collection of this sum is within the powers given to the Food Controller under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, the Ministry of Food, as a test case, is taking action against the Wilts United Dairies, Ltd., for the recovery of the amount due on milk imported by them from the four south-western counties. In view of this position the amount which has already been received has not yet been applied, but is credited to a special fund which will be used for the future reduction of the price of milk production to the general public. The precise application of the fund has not yet been determined, but I can assure the noble Lord that no part of it will be spent directly or indirectly in foreign countries.