82. Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the Scottish Milk Board's plan to make adjustment in the price when the milk supplied to it falls below a given percentage of butter fat; and whether he is satisfied that the method of payment in force in England gives sufficient encouragement and reward to producers of milk, 141W other than Channel Island milk, with a butter-fat percentage which is above the average.
Mr. AmoryI am aware of the Scottish Board's arrangements, and it is within the discretion of the Milk Marketing Board for England and Wales to relate payment for milk to its butter-fat content. I understand that the Joint Milk Quality Control Committee, a body representative of the Milk Marketing Board, milk producers and distributors, is at present considering methods for improving the compositional quality of milk.
§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give consideration to the continuance of the Milk Production Bonus for one more year at the present rate.
Mr. AmoryIt is for the Milk Marketing Board to decide whether the Production Bonus should be continued in 1955–6 and, if so, at what rates.