HC Deb 08 May 1940 vol 360 cc1245-6W
Mr. R. Morgan

asked the Minister of Agriculture why, as no censorship of any kind is imposed on the publication of milk prices, there is objection on the part of the Milk Marketing Board to supplying, in confidence, monthly statistics to the Central Milk Distributive Committee and the National Association of Creamery Proprietors and Wholesale Dairymen who are looking after the interests of the trade generally?

Sir R. Dorman-Smith

Under the provisions of the Milk Marketing Scheme the prescriptive resolutions of the Board are open to public inspection. These resolutions include the prices at, below, or above which milk may be sold. So far as I am aware, however, there is no connection between these arrangements, which are necessary for the purposes of the scheme, and the question of furnishing statistics of milk production to the organisations referred to. As I have already explained to my hon. Friend, this is a matter which is entirely within the discretion of the Milk Marketing Board, who, I understand, do not feel called upon to supply the information.