Major HENDERSONasked the Food Controller whether, as the average daily yield of milk per cow in Scotland is stated by him to be 1.68 gallons, while he based the existing maximum prices on an estimated yield of one and a-half gallons,. a reduction of ld. or ½d. per quart in the maximum price of milk in Scotland would be justified?
Mr. ROBERTSIt is not possible to differentiate between maximum prices for milk in various parts of the country; the administrative difficulties in the way of such a course would prove insuperable. I may add that the returns received from Scottish farmers, showing an average of 1.68 gallons per cow per day for the week ended 6th December, 1919, were very few in number, and I am not prepared to assume that a complete return would not show a figure approximating more closely to that of 1.5 gallons anticipated by the Ministry of Food.
Major HENDERSONasked the Food Controller whether it is proposed to subsidise the creameries in Scotland up till the end of this month, or for any other period, for any loss incurred in buying milk at a price out of parity with the return in cheesemaking; and, if so, whether by such action he is subsidising the farmers and assisting them to resist the demands of the dairymen and the general consumers?
Mr. ROBERTSCompensation will be paid to cheese factories in Scotland, England and Wales in respect of losses incurred in connection with the November and December make of full cream hard cheese manufactured from surplus milk delivered to the order of the Ministry of 1261W Food not later than 31st January, 1920. This arrangement was made with the object of obtaining an adequate production of milk and ensuring the conversion of surplus milk into cheese, of which the supply would otherwise have been short. I am, therefore, unable to agree with the suggestion contained in the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's question.