§ 37. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Food whether he will now make a statement upon the future of the interim eggs scheme introduced on 26th March, 1953.
Dr. HillI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on Tuesday, 20th October, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Mr. NabarroWill my hon. Friend consider a few more whiffs of freedom in this matter? Does he realise that at present a producer may sell eggs to a consumer direct, but may not so sell those eggs to a retail shop? Will my hon. Friend consider that in the interests of better and fresher new-laid eggs?
Dr. HillMy hon. Friend will appreciate that that provision was expressly included in order not to prejudice any proposals which the producers might subsequently put forward for a permanent scheme.
Mr. T. WilliamsBefore any change is made from the interim scheme will the National Farmers' Union be consulted?
§ Mr. MikardoWill the hon. Gentleman explain what is the article referred to in the Question as an "interim egg"?
§ 38. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Food the amount of reduced costs within his Department arising from egg derationing, compared with the former cost of, approximately, £1,250,000 per annum; and when the Egg Division of his Department with all officials in it and the National Egg Distributors' Association Limited are finally to be expunged.
Dr. HillThere has been a saving of about £880,000 in administrative costs. I cannot yet make any statement about the timing of future changes in marketing arrangements.
§ Mr. NabarroWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that I want him to save the other £370,000 at the earliest possible moment by restoring a completely free market in place of the twilight freedom we have at present?
Mr. T. WilliamsIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that confidence in the 2430 Minister of Food among the farming community has been completely lost? Are the Parliamentary Secretary and the Minister going further in that direction?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCan the Parliamentary Secretary say when all these doubtful manœuvres in which his Ministry are engaged will result in cheaper eggs?
Dr. HillI am surprised that the hon. and gallant Member should refer to manœuvres when the community generally are so delighted to see this development.
§ 39. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Food the egg consumption per person since derationing compared with the equivalent period a year ago.
Dr. HillThere is no evidence of significant change so far in the total quantity of eggs consumed, but more are available in the towns and supplies passing through commercial channels have increased from a yearly rate of about 104 to about 110 per head of population.
§ Mr. NabarroIs my hon. Friend aware that the most significant and salutary result of his exercise is that eggs are now sold over the counter instead of from beneath the counter? Will he therefore press on with complete freedom for producers and consumers alike?
Dr. HillThis, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, is an interim scheme—an interim and successful scheme. My right hon. and gallant Friend is considering permanent arrangements and, as I informed the right hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams), the National Farmers' Union have been invited to put forward specific proposals.
§ Mrs. CastleIs not the Parliamentary Secretary telling the House that there are more eggs in the shops but no more in people's stomachs?
Dr. HillNo, there are more eggs in the shops in the urban areas. So far as the other areas are concerned, the hon. Lady will recall that whereas in the past freedom to sell eggs direct was limited to producers with 25 birds or fewer, the position today is a general freedom to sell to the consumer direct.
§ Captain DuncanIn any form of scheme involving complete freedom, will my hon. Friend remember the pledge of the Government about guaranteed prices?