§ 22. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is satisfied as to the effect of the measures taken to improve the prices of home-bred live stock; and whether the average prices obtained by home livestock producers in recent months have shown a margin of profit?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Major Elliot)I assume that my right hon. Friend is referring to the voluntary arrangements which have been made with 23 a number of countries exporting meat (including bacon and hams) to the United Kingdom. As production costs are not uniform, it is impossible to say whether any given prices afford a profit to home producers generally, but my right hon. Friend will be glad to know that since the beginning of the arrangements referred to, the prices of first quality fat cattle have improved from 37s. 3d. per cwt. to 41s. 10d. per cwt., fat sheep from 7¼d. per lb. to 9¾. per lb., and porkers from 10s. 5d. per score to 12s. 9d. per score of 20 lbs.
§ Mr. LAMBERTDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman propose to take any steps to prevent the continuance of the sag which has taken place in live stock products in the last fortnight?
§ Major ELLIOTThe whole programme will be reviewed in the light of the course of prices, but I have every reason to be satisfied with the course of these so far as they have gone.
§ Sir B. PETOCan my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether he is making any early arrangement for continuing, and making more permanent, the restrictions on the importation of live stock?
§ Major ELLIOTYes, Sir. The extension of this arrangement has been under negotiation on more than one occasion, and a further extension is under negotiation now.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman doing anything to see that the people get meat at a cheap price?
§ Major ELLIOTYes, Sir. The Linlithgow Committee and others are watching, and I have no reason to suppose that retail prices have shown any unreasonable rise.