§ Mr. Pollockasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the level of milk prices in Scotland.
§ Mr. YoungerI propose shortly to lay an order which will increase the statutory maximum boards' firsthand selling price for milk for liquid use to 19 pence per litre with effect from 1 April. There will be no change in the maximum ex dairy price, which was last adjusted on 1 January.
In my reply of 22 December to my hon. Friend, I made it clear that on the next occasion on which the board's firsthand selling price was adjusted, we should regard it as a lighter form of control than hitherto. We intend that this price should now be seen as a true maximum within which the parties directly concerned in the operation of the market should negotiate actual prices appropriate to commercial realities. My noble Friend the Minister of State will today be discussing with the parties directly concerned the manner in which this is to be achieved. [Vol. 15, c. 344–5.]