§ 63. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will initiate an independent inquiry into the retail price of beef in Scotland, in view of its continuing escalation.
§ Mr. John MackieNo special inquiry is needed, for the factors that must affect retail meat prices are well known, and we watch them closely. For example, certified cattle at auctions in Scotland have recently been costing buyers some 40 per cent. more than six months ago; and retail prices have been affected to the extent that individual traders, whether in Scotland or elsewhere, have not found it possible to absorb such cost increases.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes my hon. Friend think that the decision to allow the import of beef from the Argentine will favourably affect the price of beef to the consumer in Scotland and the United Kingdom generally? Is he satisfied that the retail margins of retailers in Scotland are more than sufficient?
§ Mr. MackieAs the hon. Gentleman will appreciate, it is natural that any increase in beef supplies helps to keep prices reasonably level. To answer the second point of his supplementary question, as I said earlier, we keep a close watch on retail margins; and so far we do not think that they are too high in the area he mentioned.
§ Mr. NobleCan the Minister say what percentage of beef from the Argentine is at the moment going to Scotland?
§ Mr. MackieNot at the moment.