§ 19 and 20. Mr. Haymanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how the figure of £250 million, which is likely to be the price of agricultural support during the current financial year, was arrived at; and how these details compare with his Budget estimates for 1954–55;
(2) whether the milk subsidies were included in the figure of £250 million, which is officially considered to be the price of agricultural support during the current financial year; and to what extent the Budget estimates of £86, 800, 000 are likely to be exceeded.
§ Mr. H. BrookeAs the reply contains a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HaymanWill the hon. Gentleman say what is the net increase in these estimates and when his right hon. Friend will submit a Supplementary Estimate to the House? Will he bear in mind also that very great profits are going to the middlemen in agriculture and horticulture whilst at the same time the horticultural 2040 industry of Cornwall is tottering to destruction?
§ Mr. BrookeA number of Supplementary Estimates were submitted to the House yesterday. I do not think that the last part of the hon. Member's supplementary question should be directed to me.
§ Following is the reply:
| — | 1954–55 Revised Estimate (H.C.35) | 1954–55 Current Estimate |
| £m. | £m. | |
| Fat cattle | 5.7 | 10.8 |
| Fat sheep | 11.8 | 12.2 |
| Fat pigs | 39.3 | 58.8 |
| Milk | 39.1 | 38.7 |
| Eggs and egg Products | 28.4 | 26.7 |
| Cereals | 66.0 | 46.0 |
| Potatoes | 4.5 | 11.0 |
| Total (Ministry of Food) | 194.8 | 204.2 |
| Add: Production grants and subsidies (M.A.F.) | 52.0 | 50.0 |
| Total | 246.8 | 254.2 |
§ The general milk subsidy is included in the above totals, but the we fare milk subsidy and school milk subsidy are excluded. The total cost of all milk subsidies as published in the Appendix to the Ministry of Food's Revised Estimate was £79.1 million and the current Estimate is unchanged.