§ Mr. Kennedyasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that the effect of the order fixing the price of eggs at Is. 3d. per dozen will involve poultry-farmers in Scotland in serious loss on account of the cost of delivery and preservation charges; and whether he can state the difference between this price and the prices realised in 1935, 1936, 1937 and 1938?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe retail prices of 1s. 6d. and 1s. 3d. per dozen according to their weight were fixed for preserved eggs under the Eggs (Maximum Prices) Order dated 13th September, 1939. In order to create a reserve for emergency, these prices were fixed at a level which would discourage the withdrawal of supplies from store. The necessity for reserving these stocks having passed, the prices were raised to 1s. 9d. and 1s. 6d. per dozen and 14s. 9d. and 12s. 6d. per 120 eggs, respectively, by the Eggs (Maximum Prices) Order No. 4, which was issued on 3rd November, 1939, and of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
I am having inquiries made as to the retail prices for this class of eggs in the years mentioned in the second part of the question, and I will communicate with the hon. Member.