§ 56. Captain WRIGHTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if protests against the proposal to fix dead-weight prices for cattle and sheep, to set up a number of slaughtering places to which producers in the various districts are to be compelled to send their animals, and to appoint a large number of officials in charge of these places, have been received from the Royal Agricultural Society of England, the Federation of County War Agricultural Committees, 2102 and other bodies, on the grounds that the scheme is unworkable and extravagant in cost, and tends to decrease the supply of meat?
§ Mr. CLYNESProtests against the proposal to institute the sale of cattle and sheep by dead-weight have been received from various bodies, and, on the other hand, many resolutions have been received asking that the dead-weight basis should be adopted at the earliest possible date. The question of allowing farmers to sell by dead-weight in districts where conditions are favourable and of the procedure which should be followed to protect the proper interests of the farmer and the butcher, as well as of the State, is being discussed by representatives of the farmers, the meat trade, and the Ministry of Food. So far as sheep are concerned, the scheme has already been put into operation in some districts at the desire of the local interests concerned, and is working satisfactorily. It is anticipated that so far from being more costly than the present system the adoption of the scheme will result in considerable economies.
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTIn view of the prevailing uncertainty, will the hon. Gentleman state when the decision will be reached, and whether, also, practical farmers will be allowed to express their opinions?
§ Mr. CLYNESCertainly. There will be consultation with practical farmers, and there will be no delay in corning to a final result.
§ Mr. CLYNESI cannot give my right hon. Friend a definite assurance.