Eggs

HC Deb 03 July 1950 vol 477 cc20-1

34. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make a statement upon future distribution arrangements for home produced eggs.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Frederick Willey)

I am satisfied that the present system of distribution gets the eggs into the shops as rapidly as possible and I do not propose to change it. I have not had many complaints, but if the hon. Member has any suggestions for improvements I shall be very pleased to consider them.

Mr. Nabarro

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the present nationalised distribution arrangements always result in eggs arriving in grocers' shops in an aged, musty and squiffy condition? Will he consider allowing distribution to revert to private distributors with the proper safeguards of national marking as in pre-war days, which would ensure that the eggs were fresh?

Mr. Willey

The hon. Member is misinformed. Perhaps he will await my reply to a later Question.

41. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Food how many Polish eggs are now being stored by his Department in the apple cold-storage plants in Kent; and if these will all be removed in time for the plants to receive the Kentish crop of apples.

Mr. F. Willey

It is not in the public interest to disclose the stocks of eggs held by my Department, but the fruit cold storage space will certainly be cleared before the apple harvest.

Mr. Bossom

Is it a fact that all the farmers there are having more eggs put into their plant? Can I give them an assurance that their plant will not be occupied when they want to put their apples into it?

Mr. Willey

The hon. Member can refer the farmers to the reply which I have just given.

43. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Food what is the average time which elapses between the collection of an egg from the farm and its arrival at the retailer's shop.

Mr. F. Willey

An investigation which was recently carried out indicated that a fair average time between collection of eggs from a farm and their receipt at a retailer's shop would be from seven to nine days.