§ 58. Mr. Ritson (for Mr. Batey)asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that householders in Durham City can obtain only one egg per household in three weeks; and whether he will take steps to remedy this shortage?
Major Lloyd GeorgeMy information is that although there is a shortage of eggs in Durham City, as elsewhere, the degree of shortage suggested in the Question is not general. Sellers of imported eggs in the City have received their fair share of the available supplies. There is a general shortage of eggs throughout the country, owing to the absence of imported eggs from the Continent, to the reduction of poultry stocks in this country due to the shortage of feeding-stuffs, and to the fact that we have been passing through the season when home production is low. Home production may, however, be expected to increase rapidly during the 1360 next few weeks, although supplies of eggs will continue to be much below normal for the reasons I have stated.
§ Mr. RitsonIs it not a fact that quotas were fixed taking into account imported eggs? Also, is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that Durham City is surrounded by areas where many fresh eggs are available, and that because of the shortage of eggs in Durham, these producers suffer very keenly?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI am not certain what the hon. Gentleman has in mind, but if it is a fact that Durham City is surrounded by egg producers, it has probably got its fair share of eggs. The position is that a scheme is in operation to encourage the distribution of eggs to industrial areas.
§ 66. Sir Henry Morris-Jones (for Lieut.-Colonel Macnamara)asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the prices fixed for eggs are uneconomic to the producer when his feeding costs are considered; and whether he will make a statement on future policy in this connestion?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given on 5th February to my hon. Friends the Members for Stone (Sir J. Lamb) and Howdenshire (Colonel Carver).