§ 60. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that many citizens in Newport are unable to obtain a daily supply of fresh milk for their children from the Cambrian Dairies, Limited; to what extent this failure is due to the shortage of manpower; and what steps he is taking to provide for a satisfactory delivery.
§ Sir B. Smith:I am pleased to say that the company is now making a daily delivery of milk, and has undertaken to continue to do so.
§ 78. Colonel Stoddart-Scottasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that, when Messrs. G.&A. Hudson took over North Ives Farm, Horsforth, persons registered for milk who were members of the cooperative society were able to transfer to the society; why has this society facilities to increase their business, which are withheld from other traders, and if he will consider granting permission to people who are dissatisfied with the cooperative milk distribution to change to other distributors.
§ Sir B. Smith:I am aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers. The transfers were carried out in accordance with the Ministry's general practice in such cases which has been agreed with the trade as being equitable to all concerned. The arrangements, which operate in the reverse direction when a cooperative society purchases a milk business, do not confer any special privilege on cooperative societies; they are designed to give consumers a limited measure of choice of dairyman whenever a business changes ownership. I regret that I cannot consider the suggestion made by the hon. Member so long as milk deliveries are rationalised