§ Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will relieve anxiety which exists among sheep breeders and farmers by stating whether the standard price of 10d. per 1b. for sheep under the proposed price insurance scheme is related to bare mutton, exclusive of offals; or whether the standard price is an all-in price?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe standard price of 10d. per lb. represents the price per lb. of the estimated dressed carcase weight, disregarding the offals, of the live sheep. That is to say the Market Reporter divides the price realised by the live animal by the estimated weight of the dressed carcase, and it is to the price per lb. so expressed that the standard price of 10d. corresponds. It is contemplated that the deficiency payments will be based on the difference between the monthly standard price equivalent to an annual price of 10d. per lb. and the average market prices ascertained in the same manner.
§ Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the present sheep population approximates closely to 27,000,000; will he make provision under his sheep-insurance scheme for allowing a small increase in that figure without lowering the standard price; and will he reconsider his proposal to scale down the standard price in the event of the market price being lower than the standard price for two successive years which is unreasonable having regard to the actual cost of production?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe Government's proposals for assisting the sheep industry were framed after full consideration of all relevant factors, including the sheep population in June last, and my right hon. Friend can hold out no hope of any change in the directions suggested by my hon. Friend.