§ Mr. HINDSasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that it is the custom in the county of Carmarthen to sell sheep by weight; and whether, in view of this custom, he will immediately take steps to amend the new Order whereby sheep are sold by estimated weight?
§ Mr. H. JONESasked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to the action of farmers in several districts in Wales in refusing to allow their sheep to be sold except by weight; and whether, in view of the difficulty of correctly estimating weight, he will take steps to amend the recent Order so that the price of sheep shall be determined by dead weight?
§ Mr. McCURDYI am aware that it has been the custom in certain parts of Wales to weigh sheep alive before valuation as a guide to estimating the probable yield to meat, and that in consequence of the recent prohibition of this practice Welsh farmers are in some cases withholding sheep from market. I am, however, clear that owing to the difficulty for allowing for the weight of the fleece this practice has resulted in unsatisfactory valuation, and I am not, therefore, prepared to accept the suggestion that it should again be brought into force. I may point out that if the producer is dissatisfed he has still the option of sale by dead weight.