Mr. De la Bèreasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will take steps to stabilise the price of home-produced eggs for the next three or four months at a higher level and on a minimum basis, seeing that there has been a substantial percentage increase in poultry feeding-stuffs?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAs the demand for eggs is elastic, the fixing of minimum prices at an artificially high level would 1291W reduce the demand for eggs. The question whether steps can be taken to prevent prices from falling to unduly low levels in the spring is at present under consideration.
Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, since the price of poultry feeding-stuffs, such as chick starter, has increased by 3s. 4d. per hundredweight, standard growing mash, intensive growing mash, winter laying mash and battery laying mash by 3s. 5d. per hundredweight, he will confer with the Minister of Food, with a view to obtaining a corresponding increase in the price of new laid eggs produced in this country?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am aware that there has been an increase in the prices of poultry feeding-stuffs, although I am unable to identify the particular increases to which my hon. Friend refers. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Food and I are in close touch with the price and supply situation of home-produced eggs.