§ Dr. S. Taylorasked the Minister of Food what would be the approximate cost of installing and operating machinery to ensure that all milk sold to the public in England and Wales received heat treatment.
§ Sir B. Smith:It is extremely difficult to make a reliable estimate of the capital cost of installing the plant necessary for the heat treatment of all milk, but it is thought to be of the order of £10 million. The cost of heat treatment of all the milk sold to the public based on the present rates payable by my Department for heat treatment would be about £4 million per annum.
11W
§ Dr. Taylorasked the Minister of Food what percentage of milk sold in England and Wales to the public in June, 1945, was receiving heat treatment; and what percentage is receiving heat treatment at the present time.
§ Sir B. Smith:In June, 1945, some 70 per cent. of the milk sold for liquid consumption was heat-treated; the proportion is about the same at the present time.
§ Dr. Taylorasked the Minister of Food in which towns with populations of more than 100,000, 90 per cent. or more of the milk on sale to the public is heat treated.
§ Sir B. Smith:Accurate information is not available of the quantities of heat treated milk sold in all towns with populations of more than 100,000, but so far as can be ascertained in London, Croydon, Derby, Nottingham, Middlesbrough, Southampton and Walsall, 90 per cent. or more of the milk sold is heat treated.