HC Deb 21 February 1951 vol 484 c205W
67. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the reason for the £99 million loss on milk last year; and what steps he is taking to reduce this loss.

Mr. F. Willey

This is a subsidy, granted as a deliberate act of policy and forming part of the total food subsidy. About one-third is represented by the milk-in-schools scheme and milk under the welfare foods service; the remaining two-thirds represents the subsidy on milk generally. The guaranteed price paid to the farmer for milk, together with the necessary distribution costs would, if passed on in full to the consumer, mean that poorer people would not be able to buy the milk they need.

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