§ 36. Mr. J. Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture what decision has been reached concerning the standard price for the dressed carcase weight of sheep; and what would be the additional estimated cost of financial assistance required if sheep's offal is taken as being worth 18 1d. or 1½d. per 1b. on the basis of sheep prices ruling in 1938?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithAs was explained in reply to my hon. Friend the Member of Perth and Kinross (Mr. Snadden) on 8th June, the standard price of 10d. per lb. represents the price per lb. of the estimated dressed carcase weight of the live sheep. This standard price was fixed in the light of average prices ruling in England and Wales and in Scotland in recent years. In arriving at average market prices per lb. dressed carcase weight, the Market Reporters divide the price realised by the live sheep by the estimated weight of the dressed carcase, and it is to the price per lb. so expressed that the standard price of 10d. corresponds. The principal offals are excluded in estimating the dressed carcase weight but the price of the live sheep is, of course, affected by fluctuations in the value of these offals. It is contemplated that the deficiency payments will be based on the difference between the monthly standard price equivalent to an annual price of 10. per lb. and the average market prices ascertained in the same manner. The value of sheep's offals would not, therefore, involve an addition to the estimated cost of the financial assistance required on the basis of sheep prices ruling in 1938 which, as I mentioned during the Debate on the Second Reading of the Bill, would be approximately £2,500,000
§ Mr. MorganSince the Minister introduced his Bill, has he conducted some negotiations with Scottish farmers and come to a different arrangement with regard to this matter; and has any variation been made in the amount of the subsidy originally proposed?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI did see a report to that effect in certain newspapers, but I am unaware of such negotiations.
§ Mr. MorganHas the Minister not, in fact, included offals in the deadweight price, at the instigation of the Scottish farmers?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThere has been no variation.