§ 15. Mr. Snaddenasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the recently announced differentiation of price as between shorn and unshorn sheep sent to collecting centres has caused confusion in Scotland and has affected marketing of fat sheep adversely; if he will state what is meant by shearlings; and whether hoggs, last year's lambs, are denied the extra 3d. premium if still unshorn.
§ Mr. F. WilleyI regret that, owing to a misunderstanding, the allowances for higher wool prices for certain classes of sheep in wool was not at first extended to lambs. I am glad to say that after further talks with the Agriculture Departments and the National Farmers' Unions, it has been decided that during the period 12 of differential prices for shorn and unshorn animals an additional payment of 3d. per lb. estimated dressed carcase weight is to be made this year for all sheep and lambs in wool, including last year's lambs but not sucking lambs. Shearlings are animals which have been shorn once.
§ Mr. SnaddenWill the hon. Gentleman see that proper publicity is given to that statement, as up to last week there was much confusion about the definition?
§ Mr. WilleyIf there be confusion, we will do our best to see that the position is widely known.
§ Mr. BaldwinIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the description of a shearling as being an animal which has been shorn once is not quite correct, because frequently lambs are shorn in the summer but are sold as lambs?
§ Mr. WilleyIn our recent discussions we were advised by the National Farmers' Unions to retain the word, "shearlings."
§ Captain DuncanWill the hon. Gentleman make clear that payments go back to 2nd April?