§ 11. Mr. Gerald Nabarroasked the Minister of Food how many eggs per ration book per week were distributed in the United Kingdom during 12 weeks prior to 31st October, 1951, or nearest convenient period.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe quantities distributed over the 12 weeks ended 31st October, 1951, were enough for a weekly average of about 1⅓ eggs per ration book for non-priority consumers and three eggs per week for each priority consumer.
§ Mr. NabarroDoes my right hon. Friend realise that over the last six years the average consumption has been only at the rate of one shell egg per person 628 per week, and that this year some parts of the country are as much as 26 allocations in arrears? Is there any opportunity of improvement on this dismal performance?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeWe will do our best.
§ Mr. Richard AdamsWould the Minister tell the House what the allocation is likely to be in the comparable period of 1952?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI do not know, but I do not think that 1951 was a very good year from the hen output point of view, and I hope that 1952 will be better.
§ 20. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Food what functions are performed respectively by the Eggs Division of his Department and National Egg Distributors' Association, Ltd.; what is the number of persons employed in each of these organisations and the aggregate so employed; the total estimated cost of these organisations during the year to 5th April, 1952, including all overhead and administrative charges; and what future plans he has for these organisations.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe information available is being assembled, and I will, with permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.