§ Mr. Westwoodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Milk (Special Designations) Amendment Order, No. 2 (Scotland), 1938, has reduced from a minimum of 3.5 per cent. to 3 per cent. the butterfat contents of milk for which licences are granted by local authorities for the sale of certified tuberculin-tested and standard milks; that Scottish health authorities are viewing with great apprehension this decision to reduce the food value of graded milks; why this reduction in standard is sought to be imposed upon local authorities; and will he consider representations with a view to the foregoing Order being revoked?
§ Mr. ColvilleI am aware that the Order, which was made with my approval, has been criticised by certain Scottish local authorities.
The primary public health aim of the Government's milk policy is to stimulate the supply of clean and safe milk by offering premiums to producers who take out licences for the production of graded milk. The retention in the conditions for these licences of a butterfat standard higher in Scotland than in England would have discriminated against Scottish producers and would have deterred many of them from attempting to qualify for licences and thus detracted from the success of the drive for increased production of clean milk.
There is still an incentive to Scottish producers to maintain a high butterfat standard, for the Scottish Milk Marketing Board have included in their contracts with producers a condition that the butterfat content of all milk supplied to the Board should reach 3.5 per cent. in autumn and winter and 3.4 per cent. in spring and summer; where these standards are not reached a deduction is made from the contract price.