§ 2.34 p.m.
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government, whether they intend to increase the home production of cheese, in view of the proposed reduction in the imports of foreign cheese.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (LORD CARRINGTON)My Lords, the home production of cheese for the ration already has first claim, after essential baby foods, upon all milk surplus to liquid milk requirement; and the factories are working to full capacity during, the flush season of the year.
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, while thanking We noble Lord for his reply, which, if I understood it correctly, means "No," I should like to ask him whether, if it is not possible to increase the quantity of home production in future, there is any means of increasing the quality of the present production.
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, the noble Lord will appreciate that only about one-fifth of the present ration is home-produced cheese but I know that the Minister of Food is very anxious to produce as much cheese as possible of as high a quality as possible.
LORD SEMPILLMy Lords, may ask the noble Lord to look into the fact that there is a large quantity of milk in the country which is not used at all—to 962 wit, sheep's milk? There is a large quantity of milk to be obtained from the ewes which should be used for the manufacture of cheese. As the lambs are taken away at or near the height of the lactation period there would be about five weeks' milking left. Would the noble Lord look into this question and make a suggestion to the right honourable gentleman the Minister of Food?
§ LORD CARRINGTONI will look into that.