Eggs (Hansard, 28 July 1952)

§ 18. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton
asked the Minister of Food whether he has now decided to abandon the present egg rationing scheme.

§ 28. Mr. Hurd
asked the Minister of Food if he can now announce the conclusions he has reached as a result of his review of the system of egg control.

Dr. Hill
My right hon. and gallant Friend is examining the whole system of egg control. The subject is complex since eggs are one of the products for which guarantees are provided under the Agriculture Act, 1947, and its consideration will necessarily take some time.

§ Lieut.-Colonel Lipton
Is the Minister aware that the position is now so serious that it is most undesirable, in the public interest, that we should dither so long over this matter? If the hens dither over laying eggs as the Minister is dithering now even the black market will not have any eggs.

Dr. Hill
While I cannot comment on the speed of the hens, my right hon. and gallant Friend will examine and report on this question with all possible speed.

§ Mr. Hurd
Has my hon. Friend considered the desirability of consulting suppliers in the egg trade—the producers, packing stations and distributors—

An Hon. Member
What about consumers?

§ Mr. Hurd
If the other work is all right the consumers will get the eggs—so as to bring together their experience in order to see whether the present scheme can be made to work or whether it should be abandoned?

Dr. Hill
My hon. Friend can take it that there will be all appropriate consultations.

§ Mr. Hobson
Has the hon. Gentleman considered consulting his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture about the allocation of feedingstuffs in proportion to the number of eggs returned to the packing stations?

Dr. Hill
That suggestion, with others, is under consideration.

§ 20. Miss Burton
asked the Minister of Food how many of the 186 persons convicted of large-scale operations in the black market in eggs between 1st October and 31st May last were sentenced to imprisonment; and what was the average fine imposed, respectively, on the group of 39 producers, 84 retailers and 63 caterers involved.

Dr. Hill
No sentences of imprisonment were imposed. The average fine imposed on the producers, retailers and caterers involved was £24 3s., £5 18s. and £12 respectively.

§ Miss Burton
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that sentences or fines of that nature are ridiculous in view of the offences involved, and will he please deal with this matter immediately?

Dr. Hill
The sentences are a matter for the courts to determine, under authority given by this House.

§ Mr. Nabarro
Is my hon. Friend aware that the way to end this wretched snoopery is to denationalise the egg trade?

§ Mr. F. Willey
Will the Parliamentary Secretary now agree that it has been rather unwise to reduce the number of enforcement officers, in view of the difficulties into which he has since run?

Dr. Hill
One of the criticisms which have been made is that there has been little or no reduction in the number of enforcement officers.