HC Deb 19 March 1947 vol 435 c68W
53. Mr. Spence

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the shortage of milk bottles, largely due to the unnecessary number of breakages and the misuse of bottles by certain sections of the public, he will authorise a compulsory charge on each bottle by milk distributors by way of a returnable deposit.

Dr. Edith Summerskill

I know that the milk bottle supply position is difficult and we are continually reminding the public of the urgent necessity to return the empty bottles without delay; but we should hesitate to lay a compulsory charge on the consumer. An adequate allowance for replacement of bottles is in any case included in the distributors' margin.