Eggs

HC Deb 16 December 1963 vol 686 cc836-7

20. Mr. Kelley

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is his intention to approve the proposal made to him by the British Egg Marketing Board to ban the sale of second quality eggs to the public, in a raw state, after 1st January, 1964.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

The Board is an independent body operating under the British Egg Marketing Scheme, approved by Parliament. It does not require the approval of Ministers before exercising its powers, and consequently it has made no proposal to my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Kelley

Is the Minister aware that the withdrawal of a considerable number of edible eggs from the market has caused a great deal of apprehension among certain sections of the population? Is he aware that second quality eggs are sold at some periods of the year at least 23¼d. cheaper than first quality eggs? Is he aware that a large number of old-age pensioners do not regard second quality eggs as better than first quality eggs but they do regard them as better than no eggs at all, and that this will reduce considerably the income of egg producers because it is intended that the price for second quality eggs will be considerably less after 1st January than up to date?

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

The hon. Gentleman has asked many questions. The eggs are not to be withdrawn from consumers. The Board has decided that eggs withdrawn after 1st January will be made into liquid egg. There will be an adequate supply of small eggs for old-age pensioners to buy if they wish. It is the extra small eggs which are being withdrawn. This will not make any difference to the supply of small eggs. It will have exactly the opposite effect on the returns of the producers to that referred to by the hon. Gentleman. It will increase their prices and it will help them.

Mr. Kelley

Can the Parliamentary Secretary give an undertaking that the eggs which he says will be on the market for the use of people who want cheaper eggs than first quality will not be dearer than the present price for second quality eggs?

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

That is a matter for the Egg Marketing Board.