HC Deb 26 February 1951 vol 484 cc1723-4
8. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Minister of Food what is the price paid by his Department for casualty sheepskins; and what is the average price for which these are subsequently sold.

Mr. Webb

Between 2s. 3d. and 8s. a skin, according to the size, and time of year, and whether or not the animals have been shorn. It is not possible to give a separate average price for sales, because casualty and other sheepskins are processed together.

Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

Is it not the case that some of these skins have been selling at nearly 35s., whereas the price paid by the Ministry was 8s.? In such cases cannot the Ministry allow a larger price to the producer?

Mr. Webb

I think that, on the whole, these are quite fair transactions. They must be considered against the total amount of money that we give to the farmers for the production of animals.