§ 93. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Food if the present subsidies on milk will be continued when he hands back the Milk Marketing Board to the producers; how much, per pint, milk now costs; and what is its annual cost.
Dr. HillThe restoration of marketing powers to the Milk Marketing Boards does not necessarily affect the level of the milk subsidy. The estimated total subsidy on milk for 1953–54, including £10¾ million for the Attested Herds Scheme but excluding £39½ million for welfare milk and milk in schools, amounts to £54¼ million, which represents about 1⅛d. for every pint sold as full-price liquid milk.
94. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Food what safeguards he proposes for the distributive trade and the consumers in order that the Milk Marketing Board may be representative of these interests as well as the interests of producers.
Dr. HillI would refer the hon. Lady to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd), and the Member for Lichfield and Tam-worth (Mr. Snow) on 23rd and 24th February, respectively.