HC Deb 25 January 1951 vol 483 cc307-8
55. Mr. Joynson-Hicks

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the estimated increase in transport charges of agricultural commodities allowed for in the price review of February, 1950, and upon what facts it was based.

Mr. T. Williams

The estimated cost to the farming community of the increased rail transport charges which came into effect last spring is £2¼ millions, of which £1,600,000 relates to milk and other commodities covered by the procedure of the annual price review. There are no firm data on which such a calculation may be based, but so far as I am aware, the figures I have given are accepted as a fair estimate of the cost to farmers of the l6⅔ per cent. increase in rail charges.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

Does the reply of the right hon. Gentleman mean that that figure of £2¼ million was taken into account in last February's review? Is it not a fact that that figure had been very considerably exceeded during the year?

Mr. Williams

There may be some doubt about that.

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