§ Mr. RATCLIFFEasked the Food Controller if he is aware that the slaughterhouse officials are paying the farmer 10d. per lb. for the carcases of calves with all the offal given in and are charging the butcher 10½d. per lb. for the bare carcase and charging him a high price for the offal in addition, and that the profit to the Government is considerably more than the retailer is allowed as a gross profit, out of which he has to pay all working expenses and live?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe figures are as stated by the hon. Member in the first part of the question. The price charged to the butcher for the offal is not, however, a high price, but is fixed so as to allow him a reasonable profit on his sales. The sum accruing to the Government, which I may say is not greater than the margin allowed to the retailer, is used to assist in reducing the price of meat to the consumer.