Colonel FABERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will state the prices that will be obtainable by the farmers next winter for home-fed bullocks and trough-fattened sheep, seeing that the results of delay would be serious owing to the fact that winter supplies come largely from arable counties where the animals are largely fattened on roots?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe question of the maximum prices to be fixed for cattle and sheep after December, 1918, is at present engaging the attention of the Food Controller in consultation with representatives of agricultural interests and the Consumers' Council.
§ Captain WRIGHTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any guarantee as to what amount was given by the Ministry of Food, the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, or the Treasury, jointly or separately, to the Wholesale Meat Buyers' Association in relation to purchases in Ireland of cattle at prices in excess of the maximum per live hundredweight fixed by the Ministry; and whether any payments, and to what amount, have been paid under such guarantee and are still being paid?
§ Mr. CLYNESNo guarantee was given by the Departments referred to, either jointly or severally, to any wholesale meat supply associations in relation to purchases in Ireland of cattle at prices in excess of the maximum price per live weight fixed by the Ministry of Food. The latter part of the question does not, therefore, arise.