§ 47. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Food why, under Sub-head H of the original Estimate, he showed for eggs 762 and egg products a credit of £1,500,000, whereas in his revised Estimate he now shows an expenditure of £3,600,000.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe level of retail prices of shell eggs has at times been lower than had been expected when the original Estimate was prepared, thus increasing the cost of implementing the Agriculture Act and reducing the proceeds of sale of imported eggs. Frozen eggs have also cost more and realised less.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that his reply means that his Department has got into a muddle about eggs and that the sooner he works out what he is going to do the better for everyone?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeWe may have got into a muddle, but not into the same muddle as hon. Gentlemen opposite when they predicted the 10d. egg.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonHow much of this difference of £1 million is represented by stocks of old eggs held by the Ministry to be unloaded on to the public at some future indefinite time?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeNone, Sir.
§ Mr. WilleyIn view of the fact that the Minister apparently is misinformed about what I may have said, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.