§ Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been called to prosecutions of farmers and dairymen for supplying milk deficient in fat in circumstances entirely beyond their control; whether this deficiency is especially apparent in Monday morning's milk owing to Sunday labour conditions; and whether he will suggest to the responsible authorities that the basis of any prosecution should be not one or two but a series of tests so as to eliminate this and other elements of unfairness?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI am not aware of any recent prosecution of the nature referred to in the question, but if my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars, I shall be glad to have inquiries made, and, if the result warrants it, I will consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health as to the issue of a circular letter to local authorities. The attention of local authorities who administer the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts has been called by circular letters and otherwise to the necessity of using discretion in the institution of proceedings under these Acts in respect of milk, and I am sending my hon. Friend, for his information, copies of two such circular letters.
§ Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that in some districts of Somerset farmers are receiving from wholesalers no more than 10d., 8d., and, in some exceptional cases, 6d. per gallon for their milk; in what districts farmers are receiving 1s. 2d. per gallon; and what is the average price charged to the consumer in London?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe price at which farmers sell milk is a matter of arrangement between the buyer and seller, and the terms on which the sale is made are usually known only to the parties concerned. The Ministry is advised as to the average price at which contracts for delivery in London are believed to have been made, but it has no informa-610W tion in regard to individual cases. The average price charged to the consumer in London is understood to be 8d. per quart.