§ 16. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Food how many shell eggs per head, per week, as an average, were distributed to registered holders of ration books in the United Kingdom during three months ending 27 November, 1950, or the nearest convenient period.
§ Mr. F. WilleySupplies distributed for the allocation in the 13 weeks ended 18th November, 1950, were sufficient for three eggs per week for each priority consumer, and a total of about 20 eggs in Great Britain and 26 eggs in Northern Ireland for each non-priority consumer. The rate was higher in Northern Ireland because they did not have so many eggs in the Spring. Over the year, all non-priority consumers get approximately the same number of allocations.
§ Mr. NabarroIs it not a fact that the average hen moults for only about six weeks a year, and that these stringent rations have already been in force for several months? What is the Minister doing to improve the quantity of the shell-egg rations in the future?
§ Mr. WilleyThe variable nature of egg supplies is no new phenomenon.
§ 17. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Food what action he has taken since June, 1950, to arrest the deteriorating quality of shell eggs reaching persons who are registered holders of ration books in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. F. WilleyI do not accept the suggestion that the quality of eggs reaching consumers is steadily deteriorating.
§ Mr. NabarroDoes the Minister not realise that, during the spring-time flush of 1950, large quantities of eggs reached the consumer in a bad and smelly condition? What is he doing to safeguard the spring flush supplies of 1951, so that there will be no repetition of this?
§ Mr. WilleyAs the hon. Member knows, I am not so aware, because he has failed to provide me with any evidence to substantiate what he has said.
§ Lord John HopeMay we have the hon. Gentleman's assurance that his Department is not satisfied with the standard set by the curate in this matter?
§ Mr. WilleyWe are continually taking steps to improve the position.
§ 20. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Food what function will be performed during 1951 by the Eggs Division of his Department and the National Egg Distributors' Association Limited, respectively; what is the total cost of each of these organisations for the year 1951, including all overhead charges; how many persons are currently employed by each organisation; and what future plans he has for these organisations.
§ Mr. F. WilleyI regret that the information requested is not immediately available. With permission, I will circulate a reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.
§ Mr. NabarroWill the Minister consider reverting to the pre-war national mark arrangements and supplement that 767 by a marketing board for eggs, thus eliminating the public expenditure of £1 million a year on maintaining the Eggs Division of his Ministry and the National Egg Distributors' Association?
§ Mr. WilleyPerhaps the hon. Member will wait for the reply to be circulated. He would then be in a better position to raise the matter.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the Minister keeping all the bad eggs for the Socialist Party at the next election?