§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Food Controller whether the Travelling Milk Commission which has been appointed to inquire into and report upon the shortage of milk in Great Britain will extend its inquiries to the milk question in Ireland; whether he is aware that there has been a considerable falling off in milk production in Ireland, causing the gravest concern not only to the milk producers but to consumers, especially the poorer classes in the larger towns who are suffering very much from the scarcity and dearness of milk; whether an inquiry into the causes which have led to the present reduction in output in Ireland is not essential; and whether there will be added to the Commission, for the purposes of its Irish investigations, two or more Irish representatives possessing practical knowledge of the subject, at least one of whom ought to be in a position to speak for the Irish Co-operative Creameries?
1970W
§ Mr. PARKERThe question as to whether the Travelling Milk Commission would extend its inquiries to Ireland is receiving the consideration of the Food Controller in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland. The Food Controller is aware of the decrease in milk production in Ireland, and the Food Control Committee for Ireland has already urged the Department of Agriculture to institute an inquiry into the circumstances which have led to it. If it is decided that the Commission should visit Ireland, the suggestion made by the hon. Member in the last part of the question will certainly be adopted.