§ 38. Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the increased charges for electricity operative from April, 1961, were taken into account in assessing increased costs when determining the level of guarantees for 1961–62.
The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. W. M. F. Vane)The estimate of cost changes taken into account at the 1961 Annual Review included an estimate for increased charges for electricity based on information obtained in advance of the Review. Certain of the increases announced were larger than had been estimated, and these further increases will be taken into account at next year's Review.
§ Mr. Maxwell-HyslopI thank my hon. Friend for that reply, but is he aware that this is not evident from an examination of page 16 of the Price Review White Paper?
Mr. VaneBefore the Price Review begins, the best estimates are obtained from the electricity boards and are agreed with farmers' unions as the basis of the Review, but it has happened this year that some of the increases put into operation are larger than estimated.