§ Major Carverasked the Minister of Agriculture what representations he has received that the net price of 11d. per gallon for liquid milk, valid till 1st February next, does not meet the present cost of production; and what action he is taking thereon?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI have not received any such representations. The pool price for September, the latest available, was 12.3d. per gallon compared with 11.8d. per gallon for September, 1938. As my hon. and gallant Friend may be aware, the pool prices are not fixed in advance, but represent a balance between the receipts realised each month for the sale of milk for liquid consumption and for manufacture. It is not possible, therefore, to say whether the pool prices for the months October to January next will be greater or less than the September price but, while the prices for liquid milk are, for the present, being maintained at the rates ruling during the corresponding month last year, the prices for manufacturing milk have been raised as from 1st November.