§ Mr. G. LAMBERTasked the Food Controller if he has received resolutions from the West of England protesting against the flat rate of 2s. 3d. per gallon for new milk; and whether he will permit local food committees the discretion to fix prices, which would be lower but still ample to secure a sufficient supply of milk?
§ Major ASTORThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Winter Prices Sub-Committee were specifically asked if it were advisable to have a flat price for producers throughout Great Britain, and they replied in the affirmative. Now that control of wholesale distribution has been instituted, a new Sub-Committee has been appointed, with the following terms of reference
To consider whether, after the machinery for controlling the wholesale distribution of milk has been put into operation, it will be possible to vary the prices to producers in different districts, or on any other basis, and, it so, to make recommendations in detail at an early date.I may add that in the interests of consumers in areas where production is cheap it would be impossible to admit local variations in producers' prices except as part of a general scheme of control.
§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Food Controller what steps, if any, his Department has taken to secure an adequate supply of milk during the coming winter for the Dublin people?
§ Major ASTORI understand that the Irish Food Control Committee has come to an arrangement with the Dublin Cow-keepers' Association with regard to the price of milk during the winter months and that there is no reason to fear that this Association which supplies the greater part 611W of the milk consumed in Dublin will reduce its output. A special committee has also been set up under the chairmanship of the Lord Mayor of Dublin with a view to obtaining additional supplies from the country districts. It is hoped that these efforts will make it possible to sell milk at reduced rates during the winter.