Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the destruction of other quantities of skimmed milk, apart from that proposed in connection with the Hove Dairy Company, last week; and, if so, what steps he proposes to make such food available for public consumption in future?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI have no power over the disposal of separated milk, and I have no precise information as to its utilisation by persons who purchase the whole milk. I am informed by the Milk Marketing Board that, in any case of alleged wastage which is brought to its notice, the board uses every endeavour to have the milk manufactured into a product which can be conveniently stored, handled and transported.
§ Major Procterasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Milk Marketing Board have inserted in their contract a clause which prevents manufacturers of butter and cream from selling skim milk for human consumption; that as a result of this restriction manufacturers have in some cases been forced to waste this valuable food product; that skim milk in tins is being imported in large quantities from abroad and whether he will consider intervention in this matter?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe contract for the sale of milk by wholesale provides that2636W the buyer shall not sell any separated milk except to persons previously approved by the Milk Marketing Board, but that such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
As regards the second part of the question I do not know of any restrictions imposed by the Milk Marketing Board upon the sale of condensed skimmed milk or skimmed milk in its dried state, which is the form recommended for general use by the Advisory Committee on Nutrition. As to the last part of the question, I have no power to intervene.