§ 3.12 p.m.
§ The Marquess of SLIGOMy Lords, I beg leave 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 the use of more European milk as milk powder for the underfed millions in the Third World would not be more humane and economically more sensible than the regular production of butter mountains.
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, a substantial EEC programme of food aid in the form of milk products already exists. We have under continual review with our Community partners the scope of such aid. But we believe that food aid programmes should be designed to meet the needs of the recipients and not simply to dispose of unwanted surpluses.
§ The Marquess of SLIGOMy Lords, may I just elaborate on the original Question?
Several noble Lords: No!
§ The Marquess of SLIGOMy Lords, may I ask the Minister whether he does not think that the surplus milk from efficient farms would be better utilised as a desperately needed protein food rather than as a semi-luxury fat which it is impossible to dispose of? Does he not think that the Departments responsible for agricultural prices and for the taxpayers' contribution to the Third World should co-operate in this matter?
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, I think there is a great deal in what the noble Marquess says, but there are limitations to the use which can be made of skimmed milk powder in food aid programmes. Immediate famine relief often depends mostly on the supply of cereals. In the administration of food aid programmes, close attention is paid to the most beneficial mix of the pool of available foodstuffs. There is, of course, already close co-operation between the two Departments mentioned by the noble Marquess.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, while welcoming the constructive humanity behind this Question, may I ask whether my noble friend is aware that in Africa there is a great deal of controversy about the suitability of the powdered milk that has been provided'? Will Her Majesty's Government take great care about its quality and suitability for the feeding of babies?
§ Lord STRABOLGIYes, my Lords; my noble friend is absolutely right. Skimmed milk powder can be dangerous if it is not diluted or if it diluted with polluted water or mixed in the wrong quantities. That is one of the difficulties we are up against.
Lord PAGET of NORTHAMPTONMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that it is the constant dilution with polluted water which has caused considerable epidemic where the powdered milk has been distributed?
§ Lord STRABOLGIYes, my Lords; my noble friend is quite right. We believe that the main aid should be in the form of cereals, which are not in surplus.