§ 58. Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Agriculture what are the current prices 3087 being obtained for British, Irish and foreign turkeys, respectively; and how these prices compare with those obtained at a similar period in 1937 and 1936, respectively?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonAs the reply comprises a table of figures, I propose, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir T. MooreIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the imported birds, when they are sold, are suitable for their purpose?
§ Mr. MorrisonAny question as to the hygienic qualities of imported birds should be addressed, not to me, but to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.
§ Mr. ThorneIs not the Minister aware that there are two factors in the selling price of turkeys—the state of supply and demand and the state of the atmosphere?
§ Following is the reply:
§ Statement showing prices of British, Irish and certain foreign turkeys at London in the week ended 21st December this year compared with the prices in the corresponding weeks in 1937 and 1936.
| Country of Origin. | Quality. | 1938. | 1937. | 1936. | |||
| per | lb | per | lb. | per | lb. | ||
| s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | ||
| British | 1st | 1 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 8 |
| 2nd | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 6 | |
| Northern Irish | 1st | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| 2nd | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 | |
| Eire | 1st | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 2nd | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Argentine | 1st | 1 | 0½ | 1 | 2 | — | |
| 2nd | 0 | 9½ | 0 | 11 | — | ||
| Central European | 1st | *1 | 0½ | *1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2nd | 0 | 11½ | 0 | 11½ | 0 | 9 | |
| *Mainly Hungarian. |