HC Deb 06 March 1958 vol 583 cc1329-30
42. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress made by the Committee investigating problems of the meat and livestock industries.

Mr. Godber

During the past year the work of the Committee has included questions of animal diseases, beef bull progeny testing, carcase assessment, consumer requirements, prepackaging, meat shrinkage, certain feeding techniques and the establishment of a Meat Research Station.

I should like to make it clear that this Committee was not established to investigate any specific problems, but is a continuing committee charged with the duty of keeping under review all matters affecting meat research and of advising Ministers on them.

Mr. Dodds

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the previous Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food agreed that the problems which the Committee was to consider affected the housewives very much? Can he say, therefore, if a housewife was put on the Committee? Furthermore, can he also state what has happened about the proposal for smaller joints and leaner meat at more reasonable prices, for which most housewives are waiting?

Mr. Godber

On the position of the housewife, my right hon. Friend the present Chancellor of the Exchequer said in reply to a Question put by the hon. Gentleman that the interests of the housewives were represented directly on the Committee by Mrs. Hilda Whitlow, who is a housewife and a journalist.

Mr. Lipton

A Hampstead housewife.

Mr. Godber

So I am advised. As regards smaller joints, housewives themselves can do a great deal in this respect by choice in the shops, which has exactly the effect—

Mr. Dodds

Smaller cattle.

Mr. Godber

Smaller cattle are being produced.