HC Deb 18 March 1919 vol 113 cc1916-7
106. Major LANE-FOX

asked the Food Controller whether the charge of 11s. 4d. per cwt. charged on cattle sold in markets has realised approximately £2,400,000; and whether this sum, or any part of it, has been used to the. advantage of the farmers by whom it has been paid?

Mr. ROBERTS

As was stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Rye on 13thMarch, the amount realised by the charge between 19th September, 1918, the date on which it was levied, and the end of last month, was approximately £3,449,939. The charge, which has now been reduced to 2s. 4d., is not paid by the farmers, but by the butchers, and covers the general costs of the distribution of livestock and meat supplies in this country, including droving, railage, sea transport (in the case of Irish and Scottish cattle), lairage, slaughtering, auctioneers' commission, and insurance, several of which are in fact paid by the farmers themselves in normal times. It also covers the increases in the prices paid to the farmers for live-stock since 1st December, 1918.

Major COURTHOPE

May I ask whether the cost of the distribution of imported meat is included in that item?

Mr. ROBERTS

No, Sir.