Eggs

HC Deb 14 February 1955 vol 537 cc24-5

30. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Food what steps he has taken about the administration of the subsidy on eggs and egg products in view of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the trading accounts and balance sheets for 1953–54.

Dr. Hill

Continuous improvements in the administration of the subsidy have been made in the light of experience. As regards the detailed points raised, I suggest to the hon. Member that he should await the report of the Public Accounts Committee.

Mr. Willey

Does not the Minister recognise that this is an appalling indictment of the incompetence and inefficiency of his Ministry, and that it is now quite clear that several million pounds were lost through the incompentence of the Government in not having proper machinery to administer this subsidy?

Dr. Hill

I think it would be reasonable to give the Ministry an opportunity of commenting upon the report before the Public Accounts Committee, which it will do in the next month.

Mr. Willey

Surely it would be more practical if the Government did something about this? They introduced it as a temporary scheme two years ago and have taken no proper steps to implement it. [HON. MEMBERS: "Question."] Is the Minister aware that the Ministry said that this was set up to safeguard the Ministry against temporary setbacks on the market, and that the Ministry is now administering a subsidy of £27 million without the machinery to police it?

Dr. Hill

It seems that the hon. Member is getting his criticism in now because he does not want to hear the detailed reply of the Minister of Food.

38. Mr. P. Wells

asked the Minister of Food when he expects to be able to announce agreement on an egg-marketing scheme.

Dr. Hill

I cannot at present add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Aitken) on 26th January last.

Mr. Wells

Is the Minister aware that that answer was quite unsatisfactory and that the delay is having a very disastrous effect on some producers? Will he do all he possibly can to hurry this matter to a conclusion?

Dr. Hill

I should tell the hon. Gentleman that the next move lies with the producers, who, if they decide to formulate a scheme, will produce it, and it will then go through the full machinery of the Agricultural Marketing Acts.