§ 61. Sir Adrian Baillieasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received the reports of the egg-marketing scheme from the National Farmers' Union and the National Poultry Council; and what action he is proposing to take in this connection?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)I have received the provisional proposals to which my hon. Friend refers, and am giving them my careful consideration.
§ 62. Sir A. Baillieasked the Minister of Agriculture the progress made by the Departmental Committee investigating poultry mortality; and what is the estimated loss of poultry caused by disease in this country in the latest 12 months for which figures are available?
§ Mr. MorrisonI understand that the Committee hopes to be able to present its report early next year. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 17th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd).
§ 63. Sir A. Baillieasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken at the present time to provide facilities for British poultry farmers to place a reasonable proportion of their eggs in cold storage during those periods of the year when there is an excessive supply; and whether he will take steps to assist the financing of an organisation to provide such cold storage accommodation in suitable centres throughout the country?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe provision of facilities for the cold storage of home-produced eggs is primarily a matter for the industry itself. In the event of a producers' board being set up to regulate egg marketing, the question whether additional cold stor- 207 age accommodation will be required will depend on the powers and policy of that organisation. As I have indicated to my hon. Friend in reply to an earlier question, proposals for the improved marketing of home-produced eggs have now been submitted by the industry and are at present under consideration.