§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the estimated gross and net margins for a laying hen in Northern Ireland in the 1979–80 financial year;
(2) what was the average producer selling price for one dozen eggs in Northern Ireland in the 1979–80 financial year; and what is the present price;
(3) what is the present cost of producing one dozen eggs in Northern Ireland; and what was the cost in the 1979–80 financial year.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe highly integrated structure of the egg industry makes it unrealistic to think in terms of gross and net margins, producer selling prices and producer costs. The average price received in 1979 by independent egg producers, who produce fewer than 10 per cent. of eggs in Northern Ireland was 30.6 pence per dozen plus any bonuses paid by the packer. During June 1980 the average price would have been in the range of 35 to 36 pence per dozen plus bonuses.
§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the annual value of the egg industry in Northern Ireland; and how many persons are employed in it.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIn the calendar year 1979 the value of gross output from egg production on-farm was estimated at £33.8 million. Employment on-farm was estimated at 1,440 with a further 1,500 estimated to be employed in packing, processing, hatching and in the manufacture of layers' feed. It is not possible to364W provide an estimate for the value of output of off-farm activity.