49. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the Government's policy of reduction in poultry stocks necessitated by the shortage of feeding-stuffs, he will confer with the Minister of Food with a view to ensuring that no further reduction of prices paid to poultry keepers takes place, since poultry keepers will, by reason of the decrease in their stocks, be facing a loss in revenue, which, added to the reduction in the prices they receive for their eggs, will conspire to put them out of business altogether?
Mr. HudsonI am already in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food about the future course of prices of eggs and table poultry, and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.
§ 55. Mr. Priceasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the great hardship involved in the reduction of feeding-stuff rations for poultry to ex-Service men and to small persons whose sole livelihood is poultry, he will consider some scheme whereby supplementary rations could be allowed to hard cases?
Mr. Hudson: I regret that,owing to the exigencies of the feeding-stuffs supply position, it is not possible to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.