§ Mr. R. T. EVANSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement on the operation of the Agricultural Marketing Act in respect of bacon and milk?
§ Mr. ELLIOTMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are required by the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, to lay before Parliament each year a report on the operation of all schemes for the time being in force under the Act and on schemes which have been submitted but are not in force at the date of the report. A summary of the operation of the bacon and milk marketing schemes will be included in the first report which, it is hoped, will be laid next month.
352WMeanwhile my hon. Friend will be aware that an opportunity to discuss the position with regard to bacon supplies will arise on consideration of the Motion to approve the Bacon (Import Regulation) Order, 1933, on Wednesday next.
§ Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Agriculture what action is intended to be taken by the Milk Marketing Board in order that permitted Increases in the retail price of liquid milk will not so reduce consumption as further to intensify the glut already existing in milk production?
§ Mr. ELLIOTIt is in the interests of milk producers as a whole that the aggregate returns from the sale of milk for liquid consumption and for manufacture should be as large as possible, and I am confident that the Board will make best use of their powers to ensure that the price position does not lead to reduced consumption in the liquid milk market.