HC Deb 20 January 1954 vol 522 cc163-4W
66 and 67. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Food (1) if he is aware that the views of the national body representing the buyers and distributors of milk in England and Wales have not been sufficiently considered by his Department in considering administrative proposals for the production and marketing of milk; and if he will ensure that adequate weight is attached to the views of this body in future;

(2) If he will consider proposals already made to him by the representatives of the milk distributors for an independent authority to exercise overall control of the industry when the Milk Division of his Department ceases to function; and if he will make a statement.

Major Lloyd George

The safeguards which will be necessary before full marketing powers can be restored to the Milk Marketing Boards are now being discussed with all the interests concerned. I must await the outcome of these talks before making any statement.

Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Food (1) if, in view of the desirability of overall control of the milk industry in order to provide safeguards for the Treasury, the consumer and other interests, he will provide such control by giving statutory recognition to an organisation representing all sides of the milk distributive trade made up of an independent authority of three to five persons to deal with disputes;

(2) if, in view of the fact that the Milk Marketing Board is engaged in the retail and wholesale distribution of milk, he will charge this body with the whole of the duties at present carried out by the Milk Division of his Department;

(3) if, in view of the comments made by the Select Committee on Public Accounts on the payments by his Department to the Milk Marketing Board for collection of moneys from distribution, he will impose safeguards, for consumer's and distributors' interests, on the Milk Marketing Board before restoring to them their full powers of marketing and control over the milk supplies of the country.

Major Lloyd George

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have given to his starred Questions today.