HC Deb 08 December 1970 vol 808 cc226-7
11. Mr. Wellbeloved

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the effect of the autumn supplementary Price Review on the wholesale price of home-killed beef and lamb.

Mr. Prior

In general, the recent increases in guaranteed prices have not had any discernible effect on wholesale prices. Wholesale prices of home produced beef and lamb have fallen slightly since the beginning of October, which reflects the usual seasonal movement at this time of the year.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Does not the Minister agree that the guaranted price is a much better way of keeping low-price meat available to British housewives than an imposition, for the first time in British history, of a meat tax which the Government intend to impose upon the housewives' meat?

Mr. Prior

The hon. Gentleman has not done his homework, but there is nothing unusual about that. If the British farmer is to have a fair chance of expanding his production, he will have to have a greater amount of money from the market. There is no other answer, unless we are prepared to put up with the stagnation of British agriculture which we had under the previous Administration.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

Can the Minister explain why, whilst the wholesale price of beef has gone down, the retail price has gone up? Is that the effect of competition?

Mr. Prior

No, Sir. Retail prices have been very steady over the last few weeks, and the position with regard to the retail price of meat is exactly the same now as it was under the previous Administration.

Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

How would the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Wellbeloved) identify the Meat and Livestock Commission's levy on meat, introduced by right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite, if it is not a tax?

Mr. Prior

Apart from the levy of the Meat and Livestock Commission, there is no levy on meat at the moment. Therefore, there is no question of prices having risen as a result.

Mr. Wellbeloved

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the highly unsatisfactory nature of those answers, I beg to give notice that I shall seek an early opportunity to raise the matter on the Adjournment.