§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the rise in average market prices for cattle, sheep and pigs since 6th November 1972; and what proportion of the increase he attributes to world market conditions.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartAverage market prices of livestock qualifying for the Fat-stock Guarantee Scheme have increased between the week commencing 6th178W November 1972 and that beginning 8th January 1973 as follows: fat cattle, £4.57 per live cwt.; fat sheep 8.7p per lb. estimated dressed carcase weight; and fat pigs, 11p per score deadweight.
It is not possible to attribute precisely any particular part of these increases to particular factors, but the major influence has clearly been the pressure of world demand.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the saving on livestock guarantees in 1972–73 compared with estimates made in the 1972 Annual Review White Paper.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartMainly as a result of higher market prices it is expected that there will be a saving of rather more than £50 million on the figures given in Table 18 of Cmnd 4928.