§ Brigadier-General Clifton Brownasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that an increase of £1 15s. a ton has been put on to an already largely increased price for dairy cake for milk cows; and whether, in the interest of milk production, he will control the prices of necessary feeding stuffs at a reasonable level to avoid a shortage of milk.
§ Colonel LlewellinNo, Sir, the ex works prices of dairy cakes have been increased since 1st January by 3s. to l0s. per ton according to the ingredients available. If my hon. and gallant Friend will provide me with particulars of any case where the increase charged to the farmer is substantially more I will be glad to have the matter investigated. The recent increase -in the prices of dairy cakes was caused1574W by the necessity for using in their manufacture a larger proportion of home grown cereals, the prices of which are generally higher than those of other feeding stuffs. The ex works prices of all rationed feeding stuffs are controlled and with the exception of home grown cereals and their products these prices have not varied since 1940.