Mr. DOYLEasked the Minister of Food if, in view of the admitted superabundance of milk in various parts of the country and the readiness of certain farmers and dealers to still further reduce prices, he will consider the desirability of lowering the prices to 6d. per quart; and also if the time has now arrived to empower local authorities to make arrangements to supply large families with clean wholesome milk at specially low rates?
58W
— Wheat. Oats. Price per Imperial Quarter of British Wheat. Quantity Produced in United Kingdom. Imports (including flour in equivalent weight of grain). Price per Imperial Quarter of British Oats. Quantity Produced in United Kingdom. Imports. s. d. qrs. qrs. s. d. qrs. qrs. 1913 … … 31 8 7,087,000 28,587,000 19 1 20,660,000 6,520,000 1919 … … 72 11 8,665,000 22,401,000 52 5 25,495,000 2,409,000
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONMy hon. Friend appears to have forgotten that milk is no longer controlled and that there are accordingly no statutory prices. With regard to the latter part of the question, the Milk (Mothers and Children) Order, 1919, already empowers local authorities to supply expectant and nursing mothers and children under 5 years of age with milk either free or below cost price.