§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the aggregate consumption of liquid milk in England in the latest period of 12 months for which he has information; what is his best estimate of the proportions of that consumption represented by doorstep deliveries and by shop sales, respectively; and what were the corresponding figures for the period of 12 months 10 years previously.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerInformation about consumption of liquid milk is not available for England alone. However, aggregate consumption of liquid milk for England and Wales was 6,292 million litres in the year to 31 March 1981, and 6,641 million litres in the year to 31 March 1971.
Information about the proportions of milk purchases by households which are represented by doorstep deliveries and shop sales respectively is available from surveys carried out periodically by the National Dairy Council. These show that the proportion of milk purchases by households represented by doorstep deliveries was 90 per cent. in both 1969 and 1972, and 89 per cent. in 1980. The proportions for shop sales were 6 per cent., in 1969, 8 per cent., in 1972 and 10 per cent., in 1980. Other sales, from farms etc., in these three years accounted for 4 per cent., 2 per cent., and 1 per cent. respectively.