HC Deb 12 November 1951 vol 493 c631
17. Mr. A. Evans

asked the Minister of Food what he proposes to do to stop scarcity prices from being charged for poultry.

Major Lloyd George

Wholesale poultry prices are rather lower than they were at this time last year and I hope that the conditions which the hon. Member has in mind will not arise.

Mr. Evans

If the right hon. and gallant Gentleman sees the first signs of scarcity prices appearing will he act promptly?

Mr. C. N. Thornton-Kemsley

Would not the one way be to lift the embargo on supplies from those Continental countries, which have hitherto sent us traditionally smaller turkeys and other Christmas poultry?

Major Lloyd George

The hon. Gentleman must know that in many of the areas to which he has referred there is very serious disease and that the risk would be tremendous. We weighed that very carefully in conjunction with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Agriculture.