§ 30. Mr. F. Willeyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount which has been paid each year to farmers under the Calf Subsidy Scheme since 1948–49; and what has been the cost of its administration.
§ Mr. NugentAs the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. WilleyCan the Parliamentary Secretary say whether the percentage of administrative overheads is being reduced and whether he is satisfied that this is being economically administered?
§ Mr. NugentYes. The percentage of overheads shows a considerable reduction over that of a few years ago. It amounts now to 3s. per calf examined, I think, about 2 per cent. of the total cost. I think it is being very economically done.
The following are the figures:Payments to farmers in the United Kingdom under the Calf Subsidy Scheme have been as follows. (The figures relate to financial years):—
| £ | |
| 1948-49 | 3,637,035 |
| 1949-50 | 7,210,210 |
| 1950-51 | 6,242,226 |
| 1951-52 | 4,943,795 |
| 1952-53 | 3,823,369 |
| 1953-54 | 7,386,709 |
| 1954-55 | 7,206,510 |
| 1955-56 | 7,702,172 |
| (provisional) |
§ It is estimated that the costs of administering the Scheme during these years, was:—
| £ | |
| 1948-49 | 250,000 |
| 1949-50 | 350,000 |
| 1950-51 | 330,000 |
| 1951-52 | 275,000 |
| 1952-53 | 101,000 |
| 1953-54 | 199,000 |
| 1954-55 | 213,000 |
| 1955-56 | 229,000 |