§ Brigadier-General Clifton Brownasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that since the Milk Marketing Board took over the administration of milk recording societies some two years ago heavy deficits are shown in their accounts; and whether, before giving another Government grant to the Milk Marketing Board for this purpose, he will satisfy himself as to the financial deficits in these accounts which used generally to be self-supporting when administered by county milk recording societies.
Mr. HudsonI am aware of the deficits shown in the accounts of the milk recording scheme. These are due in the main to the difficulties of estimating in advance the costs of labour and travelling in a rapidly expanding service. As to the last part of the Question, I do not think that the services previously provided are strictly comparable with those now available.