Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Food Controller whether he has received the Report of the Committee of Inquiry on the Prices of Milk; whether it is proposed to reduce the present control price; and, if so, to what amount?
Mr. ROBERTSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A summary of the Report has been published in the Press. I have invited the Committee to meet me and discuss the recommendations contained in the Report, and hope to make a further announcement on the subject shortly.
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Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Food Controller whether his attention has been called to the fact that since the increase in the price of milk the consumption of milk has increased in those districts of Glasgow where the richer people live and has decreased to an alarming extent in those districts where the poorer people live; whether he is aware that according to the report of welfare nurses the shortage mainly falls upon children aged from one to five years, that instead of milk infants are being given tea with toast soaked in it, and that porridge, rice, milk puddings, and other milk foods are being superseded by cocoa; and whether, in view of these facts, he will take steps to reduce the price of milk?
Mr. ROBERTSI have received a report to the effect described by the hon. Member, and I would call his attention to the arrangements that have been made under which, in necessitous cases, children under five years of age and nursing mothers are able to obtain milk at reduced prices.