§ Mr. Footasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board that the butter-fat standard for all milks shall be not less than 3.5 for months August to January inclusive, and not less than 3.4 per cent. for the months February to July inclusive, with the result that any Scottish producer whose milk is below these percentages will be penalised by a ¼d. per gallon in respect of each percentage below standard, whereas English producers may provide milk with a butter-fat percentage of three without infringement of regulations; and whether he will state the number of Scottish producers who have so far been penalised for supplying milk below standard since 30th September?
§ Mr. ColvilleI am aware of the decision of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board referred to which has the effect of reducing payments to producers, at the rate of Id. per gallon for each one-tenth of r per cent. of the deficiency in butter-fat, in respect of milk supplied by them. I am informed by the Board that payments to five producers in October and to nine producers in November were reduced in accordance with this decision.