§ 6. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Food what quantity of eggs per week has been imported by his Department since 1st January, 1953; and what quantity he estimates will be imported per week up to the end of April, 1953.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe average weekly imports from 28th December, 1952, to 7th March, 1953, were 111,000 boxes of 360 eggs each. The quantities for the period 8th March to the end of April, 1953, are expected to be at least as good as in the corresponding period of 1952 when they averaged 72,000 boxes per week.
§ Mrs. CastleIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that he has not answered my Question? I did not ask him for the average per week, but for the actual imports per week so that the House may know whether or not he is now cutting the import of eggs and whether or not he contemplates doing so still further? Can he give an answer saying whether or not he is cutting imports and, if so, why?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI do not see what complaint the hon. Lady has. If one has the average one can total it up over the period. The average import per week is 111,000 boxes, which is slightly more than last year.
§ Sir H. WilliamsMy right hon. and gallant Friend referred to 1952 in his answer. I presume that he intended to refer to 1953?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeNo, Sir. I referred to 28th December, 1952, which is almost 1st January, 1953.
§ Mr. WilleyDo not we get three-quarters of our imported eggs from Denmark, and have we not seriously reduced the number we are to take during the coming year?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe average per week up to date from Denmark is 83,000 boxes. In 1951 it was 80,000 boxes, so that certainly shows an improvement.
§ Mr. WilleyI was asking the right hon. and gallant Gentleman about the new contract we have signed under which we have reduced the amount seriously.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI will answer that question when I come to it.
18. Mr. Wileyasked the Minister of Food why he has reduced the minimum quantity of eggs to be shipped from Denmark to the United Kingdom.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeAs one element in a wider agreement, which is, I hope, advantageous to both parties.
§ Mr. WilleyIs it not a fact that we get three-quarters of our imported eggs from Denmark, that the Danes have reduced their prices, and that, in spite of that fact, we have reduced the percentage of eggs that we take from Denmark quite substantially? Is not this most important, if eggs are to be de-controlled, because imported eggs cost much less than home-produced eggs and will act as a means to keeping down the price?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeAs I said in my answer, this is one element in a wider agreement, and to make an agreement we have to get both sides to agree. Part of the agreement was the reduction of the minimum to 66 per cent., and the Danes also gave us a reduced price.
§ Mr. WilleyDid not the Danes ask us to take more eggs? Surely, that has nothing to do with two people making an agreement, but only with the fact that the Danes asked us to take more eggs?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI agree that that is one element of the agreement, but the Danes are satisfied with 66 per cent. [Interruption.] They are, and the difference is that, before the war, we took 50 per cent., against which the figure of 66 per cent. is a very great improvement.