§ Mr. RATCLIFFEasked the Minister of Food if in some of the large towns in the West Riding of Yorkshire milk distributors are charging 2s. 8d. per gallon for milk which is delivered carriage paid to those towns at 1s. 6d. per gallon; and whether he is prepared to take steps to secure more equity between the profits to the producer and the distributor, who is charging over 75 per cent. for distribution alone and with very little expenditure of capital and labour as compared with the producer?
§ Mr. MCCURDYThe maximum margin allowed in the control period between the price received by the producer for milk and that paid by the consumer was 1s. 1d. per gallon. Since that time wages have increased. I may, however, point out that milk has now been scheduled under the Profiteering Act, and if it is considered that excessive prices are being charged in any area the matter might suitably be referred to the local profiteering committee.