§ Mr. Price-Whiteasked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the great increase in the number of new-born calves being sold at prices ranging from £1 to £1 10s. per head to the Ministry of Food for human consumption; how many were so sold for the 12 months ended 30th September, 1948; and will he ensure that a grading system for calves is established so that an adequate number of calves are retained for rearing.
§ Mr. StracheyThe number of newly-born calves purchased by my Department for slaughter has decreased from 671,970 in the 12 months ended 30th September, 1947, to 597,990 in the subsequent 12 months. These include all calves purchased at prices ranging from 10s. to 30s. per head according to size. Other calves are purchased on the basis of grade according to quality and estimated dressed carcase weight. The graders are instructed not to purchase any calves which can be sold for rearing. The grading system for calves appears to be adequate since the number of cattle in Great Britain under one year old on 4th September, 1948, showed an increase of 325,000 on the number for the proceeding year. A subsidy for calf rearing was introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture in August, 1947.