§ Major Procterasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Milk Marketing Board is allowing one-third pint bottles of milk to be sold in mills and workshops in the Accrington area at 1d. per bottle, representing a rate of 6d. per quart; and that this milk is bought in the mills and workshops and taken home for use; and whether he will investigate the extent to which this policy is affecting the smaller retailer producers who are not allowed to sell at 6d. per quart legal measure?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonUnder the Milk in Industry Scheme inaugurated by the Milk Marketing Board in conjunction with the National Milk Publicity Council, milk is being supplied to workers in industrial premises at the price of 1d. per third-pint bottle, or 6d. per quart. Since the milk is delivered by the distributor in substantial quantities to the workshops, the costs of distribution are less than those of ordinary retail sale; the transactions are586W more in the nature of semi-retail than retail sales. The board have informed me that they are not aware that milk so supplied in the Accrington area is being taken home for domestic use, but I shall be glad to convey to them any information which my hon. and gallant Friend may be able to furnish with regard to this matter.
§ Major Procterasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will inquire from the Milk Marketing Board the number of distributors in the Accrington district who are in favour of the increase in the winter retail price of milk to 7d. per quart from the previous price of 6d. per quart; whether he will state the percentage of milk supplied in the district by the Wholesale Co-operative Society; what was the retail selling-price recommended by this society, and the number of farmers who are ready to sell at a profit milk at 6d. per quart?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am informed by the Milk Marketing Board that they have no information on the points raised by my hon. and gallant Friend. In accordance with the terms of the wholesale contracts and producer-retailer licences, the Board may reduce the appropriate minimum retail price of milk in any area if a majority of the retailers, representing the greater part of the milk sold in the area, resolve in favour of reduction at a meeting called for the purpose.
§ Major Procterasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will investigate the effect of increases in the retail price of milk upon the position of the small producer-farmer in the north-eastern district of Lancashire; and whether he will inquire into the effect of the present milk policy in many districts in favouring the formation of large milk-selling trusts?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe question of the effect upon registered milk producers of increases in minimum retail prices is primarily one for the Milk Marketing Board. I see no need for the inquiry suggested in the last part of the question.
§ Major Procterasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will suggest to the Milk Marketing Board the desirability of holding an inquiry in all towns where there is a demand by milk producers for the retention of 6d. per quart as the selling price instead of any increase to 587W 7d. per quart, with the object of ascertaining whether any increase is needed by the real requirements either of the producers or of the distributors?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonIn reply to an earlier question by my hon. and gallant Friend, I have explained the provision in the current milk contracts and producer-retailer licences under which the appropriate minimum retail price of milk in any area may be reduced by the Milk Marketing Board on the initiative of the retailers in that area.
§ Major Procterasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that five milk-producer retailers have been summoned to appear before the Milk Marketing Board in London for alleged undercutting of price in Accrington; whether there is any reason why milk producers should be compelled, at great inconvenience, to leave their business and incur the expense of travelling to London in such cases; and whether he will represent to the Milk Marketing Board that their inquiries in matters of this nature should be held locally and in public?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am aware that it is the practice of the Milk Marketing Board to hold hearings regarding contraventions of the Scheme in London. Careful consideration was given some time ago to the possibility of arranging local hearings, but the Board came to the conclusion that such an arrangement would be impracticable. Under the provisions of the Milk Marketing Scheme, penalties can only be imposed by the full Board and not by any Committee; and if the Board were to sit in the producer's locality on every occasion on which a breach of the scheme is alleged, considerable expenditure would be entailed and it would he impossible for the Board to carry out their normal work.