HC Deb 18 April 1940 vol 359 c1162W
Mr. R. Morgan

asked the Minister of Agriculture under what authority the Milk Marketing Board refuses to supply statistics of the production and utilisation of milk during war-time even in confidence to responsible trade organisations who are vitally concerned with such information; and whether the same principles apply in connection with the production and utilisation of potatoes, hops, pigs, eggs and sugar-beet, respectively?

Sir R. Dorman-Smith

The question of the publication of statistics relating to the sale and utilisation of milk under the Milk Marketing Scheme rests with the Milk Marketing Board. I may say, however, that the Board's decision to discontinue the publication of these statistics during the war was taken after consultation with the Government, who fully approve the Board's action. As regards the other agricultural products mentioned, there must inevitably be some restriction on the publication of statistics of production in war-time but it is not possible to lay down any hard-and-fast line, and in this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar Question put by him on 25th January last.