§ 34. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the additional cost to manufacturers of animal feedingstuffs due to devaluation; and what steps he is taking to offset these rises to farmers.
§ Mr. HoyWith a few exceptions, the offering price from abroad for imported feedingstuffs has increased by about one-sixth since devaluation, while the price of domestic grain has risen by some 30s. to 45s. per ton. The guaranteed prices for pigs and eggs are automatically adjusted to compensate for changes in feed costs and all other cost changes are taken into account at the Annual Review, together with all other relevant factors.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsDoes not this show how vitally urgent it is to advance the Annual Price Review? The one commodity that is not included in automatic price increases is beef. Therefore, does that not add one more argument in support of the suggestion that the Annual Price Review should be brought forward into February?
§ Mr. HoyI cannot add to what my hon. Friend said earlier about this. There are certain figures which can become available only at a certain time. Both National Fanners' Unions rightly insist that the figures should be available before discussions take place and decisions are made. I do not think that the hon. Gentleman, who knows a great deal about the Department, would want us to go back on the agreements with the National Farmers' Unions.