§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with representatives from Northern Ireland's dairies in relation to milk prices. [142671]
§ Mr. PearsonI have had no formal discussions recently with representatives from Northern Ireland's dairies in relation to milk prices. This is a reserved matter and it is not Government policy to interfere in the operation of normal market forces. I note, however, that average producer price for raw milk sold in Northern Ireland in October 2003, at 21.18 pence per litre, was 15.6 per cent. higher than the price of 18.32 pence per litre realised in October 2002.