§ 4. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the provisional figures for the deficiency payment for beef, mutton, and lamb for 1965–66, and for the increased cost of producing one hundredweight of beef and one pound of mutton and lamb for 1965–66.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. James Hoy)For cattle, £5.54 million and for sheep, £5.88 million. As the hon. Member knows, by convention the estimates of increased costs of production for individual commodities are not disclosed.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsSurely the hon. Member can say what the increased cost has been during the past year? Unless he does this the House will not be able to assess what should be given to the farmers in the Price Review. Surely he can make some estimate of this? Can he tell us when the Price Review will be announced?
§ Mr. HoyThat has nothing to do with the Question. It will be announced when a settlement is reached. All that I have done is to give the reply which follows convention.