§ 37. Mr. Yorkasked the Minister of Food what is the origin of the third-grade meat bought from the U.S.A. at 1s. 8d. per pound; what is the cost per pound to His Majesty's Government of this meat on sale to the meat trade; what is the retail price per pound to be; and what is the price paid to British farmers per pound for comparable quality meat.
§ Mr. StracheyWe have not bought any third-grade meat from U.S.A. We are purchasing beef of rationable quality from individual shippers at the best price obtainable. It will be retailed at the usual prices for imported beef, which average about 10½d. per pound. The new prices soon to be paid to British farmers work out on average at about 1s. 2½d. per pound for bullocks and heifers and 9d. per pound for good quality cows.