§ 18. Sir J. Barlowasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total production of hen eggs so far this year, compared with the com parative period last year; and how the present retail price compares with that current at the same date last year.
Mr. AmoryThe total quantity of hen eggs sold to packing stations from April to September, 1956, inclusive, was 270 million dozen or about 8 per cent. greater than in the corresponding period last year. During October it is provisionally estimated that throughput of packing stations was about 23 per cent. higher than in October, 1955. Retail prices of home-produced large eggs are at present about 6d. per dozen lower than a year ago, but prices of other grades are about 1s. 0d. a dozen lower.
§ Sir J. BarlowI thank my right hon. Friend for that information. Can he say what progress the proposed new marketing scheme is making?
Mr. AmoryThe next step will be to put the scheme before Parliament for approval, and I hope to be able to do that shortly.