§ 23. Mr. F. Willeyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a further statement on the export of eggs.
§ 33. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now state the arrangements made with Denmark concerning export of British eggs to Continental countries.
§ Mr. GodberI would refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the information which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) on 23rd May.
Mr. WileyIs the hon. Gentleman ware that that information was available when I tabled the Question? We require the information which was promised. When will the hon. Gentleman tell us what effective action is being taken by the Government to stop all this stupidity?
§ Mr. GodberI do not know what the hon. Gentleman means by "all this stupidity". At the moment exports of eggs are negligible, the change in the price ratio having almost eliminated them. However, we are pressing ahead, and shall be consulting the Danes again in the very 588 near future. My right hon. Friend has given categorical assurances on this point.
§ Mr. NabarroWhile not in any way wishing to associate myself with the allegation that the Minister is stupid in this matter, might I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that in his Answer on 23rd May, he said:
Discussions with the Danish Government took place earlier this week. "…"—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 23rd May, 1957; Vol. 570, c. 1390.]That is a matter of ten days ago. In view of the implications of this export trade, surely we are entitled to know exactly what took place and what decision was reached.
§ Mr. GodberI cannot add anything at the moment. We are trying to find the most satisfactory method of dealing with this rather intricate problem. We shall be talking to the Danes again in the very near future, and until we have done that I cannot add anything to what has been said.
Mr. WileyCan the hon. Gentleman say whether or not we have yet satisfied the Danes? Can he also say whether further discussions are being pursued, because the matter is still unsettled?
§ Mr. GodberSo far as I am aware, the Danes are at the moment quite satisfied with the assurances that we have given.
§ Mr. NabarroBut can we continue exporting eggs? That is what I want to know.
§ Mr. ChetwyndLet us export Nabarro.
§ 34. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the total estimated cost of the subsidy to producers of shell eggs for the 52 weeks of 1957, including the estimated cost of £26.3 million in respect of the first 16 weeks of the year.
§ Mr. GodberThe cost of the subsidy on shell eggs for the first three months of 1957 was just over £20 million. As regards subsidy estimates for the 1957–58 financial year I regret that I cannot add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 23rd May.
§ Mr. NabarroBut that reply included a figure of subsidy at the rate of Eli million per week. Is it the intention of the Ministry to continue countenancing 589 a system whereby the producer gets an average of 4s. 1d. a dozen for his eggs. but which enables housewives to buy them in the shops at an average of 2s. 6d a dozen? Why should not the full economic price be paid in the shops for this food?
§ Mr. GodberI am sure that my hon. Friend will realise that there is an important seasonal aspect in this matter. While the figure of fl½ million was perfectly correct in the context in which he used it, it does not represent the picture over the whole year. I realise that the cost is extremely high. My right hon. Friend has answered Questions indicating his concern about that and the action which he thinks may be necessary for the future. I do not think that I can add to that.
§ Mr. WilleyCan the Parliamentary Secretary say when it is likely that there will be a Supplementary Estimate about this matter?
§ Mr. GodberI could not give a date without notice, but it will not be in the immediate future.
§ 35. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food by how much United Kingdom shell egg production has risen during the first 20 weeks of 1957, compared with the two preceding years; the additional cost of the subsidy in respect of that period, compared with the two preceding years; whether flocks of hens are continuing to expand; and, in addition to export of British eggs to Western European countries, what steps
| — | First 20 weeks of 1955, 1956 and 1957 | ||
| 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | |
| '000 boxes (360 eggs) | |||
| Packing station throughput of first quality hen eggs | 6,782 | 7,205 | 9,098 (estimated) |
| Percentage increase in 1957 over: | |||
| (a) 1955 | — | — | 34 per cent. |
| (b) 1956 | — | — | 26 per cent. |
| Approximate cost of subsidy | £9 million | £8½ million | £28½ million |
§ he has in hand to encourage egg consumption in the United Kingdom, having regard to the growing impetus of enlarged production.
§ Mr. GodberAs the reply to the first two parts of the Question contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The Answer to the third part of the Question is that the average population of laying fowls is expected to be slightly higher in 1957 than in 1956; as regards the last part, I understand that the Egg Marketing Board, which, as already announced, is to assume responsibility for the marketing of eggs on 1st July, already has this clues-Hon under active consideration.
§ Mr. NabarroWhat are we to do with all the surplus eggs if the hen population continues to rise, if there are far too many eggs for the population of this country to consume, and if my right hon. Friend artificially puts a stop on the export of eggs? What are we to do with them?
§ Mr. GodberI have already said in reply to an earlier Question that exports were negligible before any question of stopping them arose. The subsidy for eggs is dropping substantially, and I do not accept my hon. Friend's contention that the ceiling of consumption has been reached. I very much believe that further consumption can be stimulated.
§ Mr. NabarroThey are all thoroughly egg-hound at the Ministry.
§ The following is the information: