§ 7. Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the average weekly consumption of fresh eggs 1440 per head of population; and what increase would have been required to absorb the surplus of eggs which have been exported this year.
Mr. AmoryThe weekly consumption of shell eggs is estimated at just over four per head of the population. An increase in consumption of little more than 1 per cent. would have been sufficient to absorb the quantities of eggs exported in the first four months of 1957.
§ Mr. HillIn view of the fact that consumption in America is considerably higher than it is in this country, and that consumption seems to increase very slowly in response to lowered prices, would my right hon. Friend impress upon the new Egg Marketing Board the importance of stimulating sales of fresh eggs not only for immediate consumption but also for preserving at a time when they are cheap against the months when they are dear?
Mr. AmoryI assure my hon. Friend that the British Egg Marketing Board is very alive to the necessity of stimulating the consumption of eggs at reasonable prices, and I am convinced it will devote its attention to that. It would have needed the consumption of only one more egg per head of the population during the first four months for there to have been no surplus. I urge hon. Gentlemen to see what they can do.
§ Mr. MoyleWill the Minister consider what steps his Department can take in conjunction with the Ministry of Education to increase the consumption of eggs by our schools population through the school meals service?
Mr. AmoryYes. I know that my noble Friend the Minister of Education has called the attention of local authorities, through his circulars, to the low prices of eggs that were available a month or two ago and the reasonable prices at which they are available today.
§ Mrs. MannIf the Minister allowed his thoughts to go along the lines of a General Election, might we not get rid of a good many eggs?