HC Deb 10 July 1950 vol 477 cc68-9W
35 and 37. Mr. Marples

asked the Minister of Food (1) how long he has been negotiating with the New Zealand Government to settle the prices of meat: when he expects to conclude the negotiations; and what is the reason for the delay;

(2) how long he has been negotiating with the Australian Government to settle the prices of meat; when he expects to conclude the negotiations; and what is the reason for the delay.

Mr. Webb

Negotiations with the Australian and New Zealand Governments about meat prices for the coming year are still in progress. They began in May but have inevitably become to some degree linked with discussions on the wider issue of the long term plans being made by those Governments to increase meat exports to this country. In the circumstances I do not think that there has been any undue delay.

36. Mr. Marples

asked the Minister of Food how long he has been negotiating with the Argentine Government to settle

ESTIMATED SUBSIDIES ON FOODSTUFFS, 1950–51
Commodity Home Produced Imported Total Increases in average prices required to eliminate subsidy
Unit Home Production Imports
£m. £m. £m. s. d. s. d.
Bacon 24.7 13.5 38.2 lb. 1
Bread 19.7 69.5 89.2 3½ lb. loaf
Flour (other than for bread) 7 lb. 1 1 1 1
Shell eggs (a) 23.3 3.0 26.3 doz. 1
Meat (a) 37.3 2.8 40.1 lb. 5 ¼
Milk 72.0 72.0 quart
Butter (b) 1.7 38.5 40.2 lb. 1 1
Cheese (b) 3.8 15.1 18.9 lb.
Margarine (domestic) 14.0 14.0 lb. 4
Lard and cooking fat (domestic) 4.7 4.7 lb.
Potatoes (c) 15.4 15.4 7 lb. 2
Sugar (domestic) 3.1 7.0 10.1 lb.
Tea 17.3 17.3 lb. 9
Miscellaneous 2.5 Cr. (24.0) Cr. (21.5)
203.5 161.4 364.9
Welfare and Milk in Schools
Schemes 35.0 2.6 37.6
Fertilizers 7.5 7.5
246.0 164.0 410.0

(a) The retail prices of imported shell eggs and meat are lower than those of home produce.

(b) Includes part of the subsidy on manufacturing milk, the balance being borne in the milk subsidy.

(c) Includes acreage payments.