HC Deb 14 March 1938 vol 333 cc13-4
21. Mr. De Chair

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much it would cost to supplement current prices, including any existing subsidies, received by growers for each of the following agricultural commodities, separately, by sufficient margins to guarantee the following prices: beef 50s. per cwt., mutton 1s. per lb., pigs 14s. 6d. per score, butter 1s. 6d. per lb., eggs 1s. 6d. per dozen, 12 months average, non-malting barley 37s. per quarter, and wheat 50s. per quarter; and whether he will state the current prices on which his calculations are based?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

As the reply involves a table of figures, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:—

The sum required to make up, in respect of the output in England and Wales of each of the commodities to which my hon. Friend refers, the difference between the prices he has suggested and current prics, or, in the case of eggs the average price for the last twelve months, including any subsidies already in force, may on certain broad assumptions be approximately estimated at the figures given in the table below which includes the prices used for the purpose of the calculations.

Commodity. Sum required to bring up to designated price. Current Price including Subsidy Payments for Cattle and Wheat. (c)
£ million
Beef … 0.7(a) 48s. 9d. per live cwt.
Mutton … 1.8(b) 10¼d. per lb. dead weight.
Pigs … 0.9 14s. 1d. per score dead weight.
Butter … 0.6 1s. 4½d. per lb.
Eggs … Nil 1s. 6½d. per dozen. (d)
Barley … Nil 47s. 4d. per quarter of 448 lb. (e)
Wheat … 1.5 45s. od. per quarter of 504 lb. (f)
(a) Based on total estimated live weight of home-produced beef in 1936–37 excluding cattle not certifiable for subsidy payments.
(b) Based on total dressed carcase weight of home-produced mutton and lamb in 1936–37 excluding ewe mutton.
(c) Prices used are those ruling during week ended 9th March, 1938, except where elsewhere indicated.
(d) Average price of 1st and 2nd quality eggs at country markets during twelve months. March, 1937, to February, 1938.
(e) Gazette average price for week ended 12th March, 1938, for home-grown barley of all kinds. Prices of non-malting barley are not available.
(f) Standard price for wheat of millable quality.