§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many litres of milk were produced in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months; what was the price paid in each month by the Milk Marketing Board; and what was the average price for the months April to September, and for the months October to March.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerIt is understood that the Milk Marketing Board (MMB) for Northern Ireland purchased the following quantities of milk in the 12 months from March 1980 to February 1981 at the base price indicated:
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Month Quantity Purchased (million litres) MMB's Base Price (pence per litre) March 1980 93.373 13.69 April 1980 106.725 11.44 May 1980 139.169 10.46 June 1980 131.062 10.46
Month Quantity Purchased (million litres) MMB's Base Price (pence per litre) July 1980 124.184 10.46 August 1980 108.503 10.46 September 1980 84.967 10.50 October 1980 71.154 12.17 November 1980 67.030 13.74 December 1980 73.971 13.84 January 1981 80.415 14.00 February 1981 80.119 14.00 The prices quoted above are the base prices for milk of 12.40 to 12.49 per cent. total solids. Actual prices paid to producers vary depending on the compositional quality of their milk. With the exception of the March 1980 price, these prices are provisional, based on the board's estimate of total returns in the financial year. Final prices are not determined until the end of each financial year. The average price for the months April to September 1980 was 10.93p per litre and for the months October to February 13.57p per litre.
§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the average production costs of a litre of milk in Northern Ireland for the latest available year or years for the months April to September and for the months October to March.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerInformation in the form requested is not readily available and could only be compiled at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the margins now allowed at each stage of milk processing from the farm gate to the doorstep of liquid milk and to the processor of manufacturing milk.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerThe prices at which the Milk Marketing Board sells milk to processors are set in negotiations between the board and the buyers in a joint committee established in accordance with paragraph 36 of the Northern Ireland milk marketing scheme. In the case of milk sold for liquid consumption, the Government set both the maximum price at which the board may sell milk to processors and the maximum retail price, but, subject to these maxima, the processors' margin is not controlled. The current maximum wholesale prices are 16.769p per litre in the Belfast area and 16.860p per litre elsewhere in Northern Ireland. The maximum retail price for bottled milk is 18½p per pint or 32½p per litre.
There is no Government involvement in the setting of prices or, consequently, of margins for milk sold for manufacturing; no information on these margins is available.
§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many litres of milk were sold for manufacturing purposes in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months; what was the price paid in each month; and what was the average price paid for the months April to September and for the months October to March.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerIt is understood that the Milk Marketing Board for Northern Ireland sold the following quantities of milk for manufacture each month during the period March 1980 to January 1981: 307W
Month Quantity (million litres) March 1980 74.466 April 88.846 May 120.062 June 112.898 July 107.901 August 90.719 September 68.476 October 53.094 November 48.896 December 57.079 January 1981 62.347 Information on the quantity sold in February is not yet available.
The prices paid for manufacturing milk are negotiated independently of the Government in a joint committee on which the Milk Marketing Board and the purchasers of milk are represented on an equal footing. The prices vary according to the use to which the milk is put. The joint committee does not publish the prices agreed, but average annual prices may be obtained from the board's annual report and accounts.
§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the costs incurred by the Milk Marketing Board in Northern Ireland for each litre of milk produced in Northern Ireland for which it was responsible for the latest available year.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerThe information requested may be obtained from the annual report of the Northern Ireland Milk Marketing Board.