§ 45. Mr. F. Willeyasked the Minister of Food the estimated subsidies, given separately, for each subsidised foodstuff for the purposes of the Supplementary Estimate dated 3rd February, 1954.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeAs the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the Official Report.
§ The table below sets out the amount of subsidy for each subsidised foodstuff estimated for the purpose of the Ministry of Food, 1953–54, Revised Estimate recently published.
| Food Subsidies, 1953–54 | |
| Supplementary Estimate (H.C. 76) | |
| Commodity | £ Million |
| Bacon | 14.0 |
| Bread | 45.0 |
| Meat (carcase) | 43.1 |
| Milk (liquid) | 43.5 |
| Butter | 13.8 |
| Cheese | 3.1 |
| Eggs and Egg Products | 26.7 |
| Margarine (domestic) | 0.5 |
| Potatoes | 7.8 |
| Sugar (domestic and manufacturing) | 4.0 |
| Welfare and Milk-in-Schools Schemes | 46.9 |
| Animal Feeding Stuffs | 8.2 |
| Home Grown Cereals | 20.7 |
| Miscellaneous | 7.6 |
| Total subsidies administered by the Ministry of Food | 284.9 |
| Subsidies administered by Agricultural Departments: | ||
| £ Million | ||
| Attested Herds Scheme | 11.2 | |
| White Fish Subsidy | 2.4 | |
| Fertilisers | 13.0 | |
| Calf Subsidy | 6.8 | |
| Ploughing-up Grants | 6.7 | |
| 40.1 | ||
| 325.0 |
§ 46. Mr. F. Willeyasked the Minister of Food what proportion of the total food subsidies shown in the original Estimates and the Supplementary Estimates, respectively, consist of subsidies to producers.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe subsidies administered by the Agricultural Departments amount to some £40 million in the current financial year. Apart from these, no precise apportionment is possible of the benefits of the subsidies to producers and consumers, respectively.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate that this is an increasing proportion? Can he assure the House that it has the attention of the Government?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeYes. Itis having very close attention at present.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCould the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give the House an assurance that between now and the end of the present financial year he will not seek to introduce anymore Supplementary Estimates, in addition to that for which he is seeking approval tomorrow?