§ 17. Mr. F. Willeyasked the Minister of Agriculture how the estimated subsidy on animal feedingstuffs for 1952–53 of about £30 million affects the award to the farmers made in the Agriculture Price Review.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe Government's decision to stabilize the Ministry of Food resale prices for feedingstuffs for a further period was one of the factors taken into account at the recent Annual Review of the economic conditions and prospects of the agricultural industry. For a further explanation, I would refer the hon. Member to the White Paper on the Annual Review, which will be available to the House later this afternoon.
§ Mr. WilleyWhile awaiting the White Paper, may I ask whether it was not assumed when the Price Review discussions began that this subsidy would be discontinued, so that this makes an extra call of £30 million on the Ministry of Food subsidy? Secondly, if the sum of £30 million comes out of the total of over £50 million recently announced, is it not quite clear that that sum was over and above the figure in the special review?
§ Sir T. DugdaleNo, Sir. These figures are very complicated, and I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the White Paper which will be available this afternoon.