HC Deb 29 November 1956 vol 561 cc565-6
31. Mr. Dye

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the subsidy payable, per live hundredweight, for fat cattle for the latest available week; and how it compares with the estimate published on 25th October.

Mr. Amory

For the week ended 25th November the total rate of guarantee payment was 44s. 6d. per live cwt. This was made up of the rolling average guarantee of 29s. and the additional payment of 8s., precisely as estimated on 25th October, plus a stabilising adjustment of 7s. 6d. paid in accordance with the original guarantee arrangements.

Mr. Dye

Is not that figure very different from the October estimate? Is not the total subsidy very much larger, and is not that entirely due to the marketing arrangements and not the deficiency payments?

Mr. Amory

The only difference between the figures I have just quoted and the estimate announced on 25th October is the addition of the stabilising adjustment. This is the sum required at the time to bring the total payment up to 128s., excluding the supplementary payment of 8s.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is not one reason for the increased Government expenditure on this account the heavier importation of foreign beef?

Mr. Amory

That may be one of the reasons for the level of the market, but it is also one of the reasons we have been able to return to the pre-war level of beef consumption. There is no evidence that the present supply of beef is in excess of what the nation wants.