§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food (1) to what extent the difference in price paid to farmers for their milk and the price paid by the consumer was varied over the last three years;
(2) what is the difference between the price paid to the farmer for his milk and the price that the consumer pays at the present time.
§ Mr. BishopThe net average prices paid to wholesale milk producers in the United Kingdom in the years 1973 to 1976 are as follows:
pence per gallon 1973–74 28.03 1974–75 28.80 1975–76 36.03 1976–77 42.53 These are net, ex-farm prices received by wholesale producers from the Milk Marketing Boards. They include premia payable and are net of deductions in respect of transport and other charges.
During the same period the variations in the retail price of milk have been as follows:
- 1 April 1973:
- 5½p per pint (44p per gallon).
- 21st April 1974:
- 4½p per pint (36p per gallon).
- 3rd November 1974:
- 5p per pint (40p per gallon).
- 2nd March 1975:
- 6p per pint (48p per gallon).
- 3rd August 1975:
- 7p per pint (56p per gallon).
- 2nd November 1975:
- 8½p per pint (68p per gallon).
- 5th September 1976:
- 9½p per pint (76p per gallon).