HC Deb 18 February 1954 vol 523 cc2150-3
50. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is satisfied that the price of the standard ration of feeding-stuffs for pigs calculated by his Department have been reduced from 33s. 6d. a hundredweight on 1st April last to 29s. 3d. a hundredweight now reflects accurately the actual prices which farmers are paying for compound pig meals.

Sir T. Dugdale

The feed price of 29s. 3d. per cwt. relates to straight feeds for which wholesale price quotations are secured at or near mills. The prices of compounds delivered to farmers are normally higher, but the difference was taken into account when the basic price of pigs was determined following the 1953 Annual Review.

Mr. Hurd

My right hon. Friend has not answered the Question I sought to put to him. Is he satisfied that the trend of commercial prices which farmers are paying for pig meal is accurately reflected by this official calculation? The experience of farmers is that it is not accurately reflected, and I should like to know what he thinks about it.

Sir T. Dugdale

I am prepared to consider any evidence my hon. Friend cares to bring before my notice. In answering the Question I explained the basis on which it is calculated.

Mr. I. O. Thomas

On this question of pigs and pork, may I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the statement issued today by the London Retail Meat Traders' Association protesting at the confusion caused by the decision of the Food Ministry to allow pork butchers to sell pork off the ration from next Sunday? The Association states: We regret that a very confused situation has arisen. It is necessary to point out that only one shop in 180 of the butchers' shops in London trades as a pork butcher….

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member now seems to be conveying information instead of asking for it.

Mr. Thomas

With your forbearance and the consent of the House, Mr. Speaker, I was phrasing my question in the shortest possible manner. The London Retail Meat Traders' Association—

Hon. Members

Speech.

Mr. Speaker

I think the hon. Member is exceeding the bounds of what is permissible in putting a supplementary question. Can he not get to his question and ask it? What is the question?

Mr. Thomas

The question is whether the Minister of Agriculture will consult his colleague the Minister of—

Mr. Baldwin

On a point of order. What has this supplementary question to do with the original Question? [Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member really ought to ask his supplementary question.

Mr. Thomas

I was asking my question.

Captain Orr

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Would you accept a Motion, "That the Question be now put"?

Mr. Thomas

rose—

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member has occupied a lot of time—

Mr. Thomas

But Mr. Speaker—

Mr. Speaker

I am afraid I must ask the hon. Member to resume his seat.

Mr. Thomas

On a point of order. I am putting my question and on two occasions I have been interrupted by points of order. I now ask for the right which you, Mr. Speaker, extended to me, to put my question. I have been interrupted—

Mr. Speaker

I gave the hon. Member permission to ask his supplementary question and called him for that purpose—

Mr. Thomas

Well, I—

Mr. Speaker

I have not yet heard the question, and the hon. Member has occupied a great deal of time. If the hon. Member will promise to put his question in six words, I will call him.

Mr. Thomas

I agree with your condition, Mr. Speaker. I will accept your terms—provided, of course, that the first few words introducing the question do not count. My question is to the Minister of Agriculture. Will he make a statement about the statement of the London Retail Meat Traders'Association on the statement of his right hon. Friend the Minister of Food?

Hon. Members

Answer.

Mr. Speaker

At last we have got the question, but now we have got it I must rule it out of order.