§ 58. Sir W. Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the annual cost to the taxpayer of the subsidy on eggs.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallAbout £31,750,000 in 1946–47, including dried eggs and egg products
§ Sir W. SmithersWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether this amount is included in the food subsidies? Is he aware that if this subsidy was passed on to the producers, who take all the risks, he would get many more eggs? May I have an answer?
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteCan the figure be broken down to give the amount of subsidy for shell eggs?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallCertainly; it is £16 million on home-produced eggs—that is shell eggs. The subsidy on imported eggs comes to £4.5 million, making a total of £20.5 million. On dried eggs and egg products, it is £11,250,000.
§ Sir W. SmithersWill the right hon. Gentleman now consider trying to pass on some of this £16 million to the producers, and thereby get more eggs?