§ Mr. Quibellasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the overriding commission paid to each of the wholesale meat supply associations which have been set up in the country; and what surplus each of such organisations had at the end of the first year of trading?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe commission payable to the wholesale meat supply 469W associations has been the subject of investigation by the costings department of the Ministry. The final rate for each association has not yet been determined as certain applications that have been made for membership of these associations are still under consideration, and the expenditure incurred in the performance of services to the Ministry is still subject to final ascertainment. The principles governing remuneration have been agreed and certain payments on account have been made.
§ Mr. Quibellasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what are the different commissions charged from the time an animal intended for human consumption enters the market to the time when it is sold over the counter by the retailer to the public?
Major Lloyd GeorgeCommissions are paid to the auctioneers who conduct the business of the Ministry's collecting centres where livestock is purchased and graded. Slaughterhouse contractors operating Government slaughterhouses are remunerated by means of a contract based on aper capita charge. For the remuneration of wholesale meat supply associations, I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to his previous Question. For the price margins allowed to retail butchers, I would refer him to my answer of 17th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Finchley (Mr. Crowder).