§ Sir P. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the large decline in milk production in the current year resulting in a serious fall in employment in processing factories in Wiltshire and elsewhere; and whether, in view of this decline, he will provide in the forthcoming legislation for a more adequate minimum price for milk used for manufacturing purposes?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am aware that, owing to a decline in the total quantity of milk coming forward under the Milk Marketing Scheme, coupled with increasing sales of milk for liquid consumption, the quantity available for manufacture is less than was the case a year ago and that, in consequence, the intake of factories producing butter and cheese, which are the least remunerative outlets for milk, has had to be curtailed. As regards the second part of the question, I am not in a position to add to the statement of Government policy contained in the White Paper issued last July.