Dairies

HC Deb 22 July 1986 vol 102 cc194-5W

Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many dairies are supplied by the Milk Marketing Board in Wales each year.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

Twenty-four dairies are supplied by the Milk Marketing Board in Wales.

Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much milk is supplied by the Milk Marketing Board to dairies in Wales each year.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

In the year ending March 1985, 1,646.7 million litres of milk were produced off farms in Wales and supplied mainly to dairies in Wales.

Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the arrangements which presently exist for the supply of milk to dairies in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The allocation of milk to dairies in Wales is a matter for the Milk Marketing Board, in conjuction with representatives of milk buyers.

Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many people are employed by dairies in Wales; and how this figure compares with the figures for 1979 and 1983, respectively;

(2) how many people are employed in the production of cheese in Wales; and how this figure compares with those for 1979 and 1983, respectively.

Mr. Mark Robinson

Full information is only available from the census of employment which shows that there were 3,300 employed in milk and milk products industries in 1981. Estimates—on a basis not wholly comparable with this source — made in the annual census of production suggest that the figures for 1979, 1983, and 1984 respectively, were approximately 3,400, 3,200 and 2,700.