§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the estimated reduction of 144 million gallons of milk in the current year will have on the home production of butter and other milk products; what he estimates to be the cost of compensatory additional imports of these products; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartI understand that the estimate made by the industry, to which the right hon. Member refers, is the difference between one of its earlier forecasts for 1973–74, which envisaged a substantial increase in the total supplies over 1972–73, and its present forecast for 1973–74, which envisages a small reduction compared with 1972–73. The utilisation of milk available for manufacture is a matter for the industry and trade to determine in the light of the market situation. It is not possible to forecast the effect on imports of any changes in the pattern and level of production of milk products in 1973–74.