§ 20. Mr. Kitsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what would have been the additional income to the British dairy farmer if the retail price of milk had been allowed to run at 8½. for a full 12 months instead of reducing the price by ½d. for four months; and by how much this would have increased the price of milk per gallon to the farmer for the year 1963–64 if liquid milk sales also had remained the same as in 1962–63.
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§ Mr. SoamesAn increase in the retail price of milk has no effect, in itself, on the income of the British dairy farmer. But if the retail price were kept at 8½d. a pint throughout 1963–64 the additional proceeds from sales of milk would amount to about £8½ million. This would be equivalent to 0.8d. a gallon on the pool price, assuming that both production and liquid milk sales remained as in 1962–63.