§ Mr. Perkinsasked the Minister of Food what action he is taking to encourage the manufacture of home cheese; what percentage of home cheese is available on the ration; and how far he expects to increase the proportion in the near future.
§ Mr. WebbAll cheese factories have been working to capacity during the past six months in which milk has been plentiful and I have given instructions, now that the seasonal decrease in milk supplies has started, for cheese production to have priority over other milk products. I expect that at least 50 per cent. more will be made this year than last. We are also doing what we can, in co-operation with the Agriculture Departments, to encourage farm production. For the year ended 30th June, 1949, 18.5 per cent. of the cheese distributed on the ration was home-produced and for the corresponding period ending 30th June, 1950, it was 20 per cent. There will be a seasonal decrease during the next few months, but the average for 1951 will, I hope, show a further increase.