§ Sir R. Gowerasked the Minister of Food if the distribution of milk is left entirely to the discretion of the milk deliverer; and whether, as priority claims are now not even being met, he will adopt some better system of checking outgoing supplies with the exact amount of milk delivered to the various customers on the round.
§ Colonel LlewellinNo, Sir. The supplier is required by Order to provide for the authorised requirements of the priority consumers where he has the milk available, before supplies are distributed to non-priority consumers. I am not aware that the authorised requirements of priority consumers are not being met in full. If my hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to particular cases, I would be glad if he could let me have full information so that I may make inquiries.
§ Captain Pluggeasked the Minister of Food if he can make any statement explaining the shortage in the supply of milk.
§ Colonel LlewellinSupplies of milk show an increase as compared with the corresponding period in recent years. There has, however, been an increase in consumption particularly of milk supplied to the priority classes. Despite this fact the supplies available at present are sufficient to meet fully the authorised requirements of the priority consumers and the two pints weekly allowance of the non-priority adult consumers.