§ 31. Mr. HOWARDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the East Lancashire Butchers' Association receive a subsidy from the Ministry of Food for any loss they may incur between the buying price of live cattle and the selling price of dead meat; and, if so, if there is any reason why the same subsidy should not be granted to co-operative societies and other private slaughter-house owners who have incurred a similar loss?
§ Mr. CLYNESI presume that the hon. Member refers to the East Lancashire Wholesale Meat Supply Association. This Association was constituted by the Ministry of Food to act as its agent, and receives a fixed commission of 2½ per cent. for handling meat on behalf of the Ministry. As the Association does not trade on its own account, any losses due to incorrect grading are borne by the Central Live Stock Fund. No subsidy is, therefore, paid by the Ministry of Food, and the latter part of the question does not arise.