§ Sir G. Jeffreysasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has. any record of the amount of whole milk disposed of weekly in feeding calves; and whether, as such fattening of calves is a purely luxury trade, it is intended to continue it?
Mr. HudsonThe statistics for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks are not available. With regard to the second part of the Question, in certain remoter areas the fattening of calves may be regarded as a useful part of farming practice. I agree generally, however, with the sentiments expressed in the Question, and prices for veal calves have remained unchanged since the beginning of 1940 at a level designed to discourage veal production where the milk could more economically be sold for human consumption or the calves should be retained for rearing. Arrangements have been made for the issue of special calf foods in order to release liquid milk for human consumption or manufacture.