§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has completed his spring review of liquid milk prices; and if he will make a statement about the level of the maximum wholesale price to apply during the summer months.
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§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe Government have been considering the level of liquid milk prices that should apply during the coming months, having regard to all the relevant considerations including the data available from the costings system and the changes which I announced on 22 December 1981 following the Binder Hamlyn review. In the light of these considerations, and of the normal seasonal variations in cost factors, the Government have concluded that it would be right to reduce the maximum wholesale price by 0.2p per litre with effect from 1 April. The new prices, which in the case of Northern Ireland also reflect the consumer subsidy there, will be as follows:
p/litre England and Wales (expect London) 17.783 London 16.016 Northern Ireland 21.400 These prices will of course be further reviewed in the autumn when full account will be taken of the definitive costings data and of the position of milk producers. It is my wish to provide both milk producers and the dairy trade under the new costings system with a firmer basis for planning their commercial operations and to announce decisions promptly each spring and autumn. In conformity with this objective it is my intention to seek to announce before 1 October the prices to apply in the winter months.
A statutory instrument giving effect to these new maximum wholesale prices will be laid before Parliament shortly.
The maximum retail price will remain unchanged.