asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the prices per gallon fixed by the Milk Board to be paid for milk purchased from the farmer and the prices of milk sold for domestic and commercial purposes, respectively?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I propose, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The following are the prices prescribed by the Milk Marketing Board for the sale of milk by wholesale by registered producers in England and Wales during the period 1st October, 1934, to 30th September, 1935:

The above are the prices to be paid by the purchaser for milk for liquid consumption.

Manufacturing Milk Prices (All Regions, All Months).

Milk manufactured into cheese (other than soft curd cheese and cream cheese), butter or condensed milk for export.

Under arrangements provided for in the terms of the contract, reductions in the minimum appropriate retail price have been approved by the Milk Marketing Board in some 280 areas.

The average price per lb. for the previous month of Finest White Canadian Cheese and Finest White New Zealand Cheese, less a sum of 1¾d., with a minimum of 4d. per gallon in the case of milk used for condensing for export.

Milk manufactured into—

In order to be qualified to buy milk at the above prices, purchasers must fulfil certain conditions which are specified in the contract. An addition of 1d. per gallon is made in the case of milk brought in liquid form into the Metropolitan Police District or into the City of London and used for manufacture.

For milk sold for domestic consumption, minimum appropriate retail prices have been fixed as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether there has been any surplus of milk in excess of domestic and commercial requirements; if so, what has been the quantity; in what areas; and what was the method of its disposal?

I am informed by the Milk Marketing Board that there has been no surplus of milk in excess of domestic and commercial requirements, and that all milk handled by the board during the past year was, in fact, marketed.