Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that household consumers may now select, at the time of re-registration, a different grocer and butcher, he can now state what relaxations he has been able to arrange whereby the household consumer can purchase, and have delivered, milk from the dairy of his own choice.
§ Flight-Lieutenant Teelingasked the Minister of Food whether, as the Brighton and Hove area was the last to come under the Milk Zone Scheme, because of the difficulty of arranging the zoning and the strong local opposition, as that opposition still continues and it is now easier for delivery vans to be used, he will consider releasing this area from the Milking Zone Scheme immediately.
§ Sir B. SmithI would refer the hon. Members to the reply which was given to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Major Macpherson) on 23rd August. The consultations with the trade have now commenced, and I am considering, with them, whether some relaxation of the present restrictions on consumers in their choice of dairymen can be made without a substantial reduction in the economies at present being secured by retail rationalisa-238W tion. Consultations are in progress but I am not yet able to make any statement on the subject.