§ Major Procterasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Milk Marketing Board, in its letter to the town clerk of Accrington, of 11th November, 1937, undertook to postpone proceedings against milk producer-retailers until the meeting on the whole subject had been held in Accrington; whether he will inquire whether effect was given to this undertaking; and, if not, for what reasons?
§ Mr. RamsbothamI have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is informed by the Milk Marketing Board that the letter of the nth November, to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, mentioned the possibility of a meeting being held in Accrington for the purpose of considering a reduction in the retail price of milk, and stated that if such a meeting was convened, the hearing by the Board of alleged contraventions of the scheme by certain producer-retailers, which had been fixed for the 16th November, would he adjourned. Inquiries were made by the Board on the morning of 16th November as to whether a meeting had, in fact, been convened and it was ascertained that no such meeting had been convened.
§ Major Procterasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of prosecutions instituted by the Milk Marketing Board in the last six months against milk producer-retailers in the Accrington area; what were the fines imposed; how many of the defendants attended; and whether he is aware of the heavy costs which were incurred by compelling traders to come to London to attend these proceedings?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe number of producer-retailers selling milk in Accrington who have received notice during the last six months to appear before the Milk Marketing Board with regard to alleged contraventions of the Milk Marketing Scheme is 13. Penalties of £5 each were imposed on three of these producers at a meeting of the Board held on the 16th November. The remaining cases have been adjourned. I am informed that none of the producers attended in person before the Board.