§ 29. Sir P. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture if he has considered the further representations he has received from the leaders of the agricultural industry of the losses which continue to be caused by the low level of fat stock prices; and what measures he proposes to take to enable this branch of British agriculture to survive?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I would refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Dorset (Mr. Hall-Caine) on 9th November, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.
§ Sir P. HURDThat Ns as 9th November and this is 27th November, and the crisis in the fat stock industry is becoming very acute. Has the right hon. Gentleman no further proposals to make?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am sure my hon. Friend will remember that in the answer I then gave I surveyed the position up to the end of the year, and indicated certain very drastic restrictions, which were not at that moment in full operation.
§ Sir P. HURDHave those restrictions affected prices?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThey are not yet in full operation, but they have certainly affected prices in respect of having prevented a fall. They have not produced 506 a rise in the price, and that is what we are determined to secure.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSHave the Fat Stock Commissioners produced a report showing the relative wholesale and retail prices; and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, according to the figures published in the Press this morning, there is a rise in the wholesale and retail prices of the meat referred to?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe Fat Stock Commission has not yet issued a report at all. As regards the second question, I think we are all pleased to see that there are indications of a rise in wholesale prices this morning, and I should only hope that rise would continue.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill some consumers' committee be notified that any increase in wholesale prices is immediately passed on by the retailer to the consumer, and will not that defeat the right hon. Gentleman's object?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI should not dogmatise about what appears in to-day's Press. It may be altered by subsequent events.