§ 44. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the prices paid by tanners for ox-hides are firsts 1s. per lb. and seconds 11d. per lb., while the prices paid to the owners of the hides are firsts 9½d. per lb. and seconds 9d. per lb.; and to what fund are these differences of prices credited?
Mr. HOPEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The differences of prices are credited to the Central Live Stock Fund of the Ministry of Food.
§ Mr. LAMBERTMay I ask what is the Central Live Stock Fund?
Mr. HOPEI think the question should be more properly addressed to the Ministry of Food, but I understand it is a fund of receipts from live stock, and that a contribution such as this is applied in aid of the expenses.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWhy should hides, and therefore leather goods, be dearer in order that the live-stock stock should be maintained?
Mr. HOPEIf, as I understand, the Ministry of Food—though I do not speak with authority for them—have to control the inside of the animal, they should control the outside too.