HC Deb 11 March 1940 vol 358 c816
18. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will confer with the Minister of Food in connection with the delivery of fat stock by farmers to control and the subsequent period of delay which takes place before the farmer receives his cash for the fat stock sold, in view of the fact that the average farmer is not in a position to remain without the money for a period of a month?

The Minister of Food (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

I have been asked to reply. Producers are paid for cattle, sheep and calves within approximately three days from the date of delivery to a collecting centre. There is a longer delay in the case of pigs because these are paid for on an actual dead weight basis. Payment for pigs cannot therefore be made until the animals have been slaughtered and the carcase weights of pigs are available to the paying officer. Pigs are paid for on an average of seven days from the date of delivery to a collecting centre.

Mr. De la Bère

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have several letters telling me of delays of three weeks, and will he do his utmost to see that these payments are expedited in future, in view of the hardship that is caused by delay?

Mr. Morrison

In general, the position in regard to payments compares very favourably with what obtained in peace time. If my hon. Friend has any cases of delay which may have arisen in the case of pigs, I hope he will let me have them.