HC Deb 09 December 1919 vol 122 cc1148-9W
Mr. WATERSON

asked the Food Controller if he will state the amount of financial loss sustained this last nine months, each month separately, through the purchase of home-produced cheese?

Mr. McCURDY

The financial losses on the purchases of home-produced cheese by the Ministry during the last nine months are as follows: March, £73,778; April, £34,901; May, £59,394; June, £81,585; July, £145,812; August, £152,705; Septem- ber, £254,655; October, £313,885; November, 363,581. Under the Ministry's pooling system, which has been in operation since July, 1918, these losses are met from profits on the sales of imported cheese, all Government cheese being sold at a flat rate through the distribution system to the consumer.