HC Deb 03 November 1938 vol 340 cc384-5W
Mr. Morgan

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the amount of milk allocated by the Milk Marketing Board to their own creameries during the first nine months of the current year; and what is the estimated amount of such milk which could have been absorbed by other creameries operated by private enterprise?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

I am informed by the Milk Marketing Board that the quantity of milk allocated to their factories from other purchasers under the plan for allocating supplies was approximately 4,000 gallons per day during the first nine months of this year. I have no information which would enable me to answer the second part of the question.

Mr. Wakefield

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to arrange for the transference to the independent milk commission that is to be set up of the present powers possessed by the Milk Marketing Board to divert the milk supplies of creameries operated by private enterprise?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

No, Sir. I think that the allocation of milk supplies to the most profitable market is an appropriate function of a producers' organisation which has been empowered by Parliament to regulate the sales of milk.