§ Sir H. Morris-Jonesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why the producer of milk from best attested herds only received is. 4¼d. per gallon, including cost of transport to wholesalers, whereas the retailer receives 2s. 8d. per gallon?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe return to the milk producer varies slightly according to the Milk Marketing Board region in which he is situated. The retail price of milk also varies according to population areas. The figures quoted by my hon. Friend are substantially correct for North Wales for the month of June, 1941. The retailer does not himself retain the difference between the price to the producer and the price to the consumer. He purchases his milk at the "regional price," which in June was 1s. 8½d. per gallon. Furthermore, the retailers' margin varies from month to month, being in England and Wales generally higher in the summer months than the winter months; while the return to the producer is higher in the winter than the summer. It is therefore misleading to base any comparison of producers' and retailers' earnings on the figures of any particular month.
§ Mr. Haslamasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that there are still cases where milkmen only make six deliveries a week; that this is a deleterious practice especially in warm weather; and whether he will take further steps to make a seven day a week delivery more general?
Major Lloyd GeorgeWhile the practice of restricting milk deliveries to six days a week is substantially less prevalent than was the case one month ago, there is still a number of towns and villages where a milkless day operates. My Noble Friend has appealed to distributors to maintain a seven-day delivery service in the interest of the consumer. The great majority of distributors has responded to this appeal. Consideration is being given to the further action which might be taken in those centres where the appeal has so far proved fruitless.