Captain Shawasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction amongst agriculturists in Scotland regarding the prices obtainable for high class home-bred fat cattle; and whether he will consider setting up a Scottish costing tribunal to determine the prices which 1409W Scottish farmers should get for their produce, as at present Scotland is tacked on to the English tribunal with results that are detrimental to Scottish agriculturists?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am fully informed of the views of Scottish agriculturists with regard to the price of high class fat cattle, and as stated in the announcement recently made regarding the prices to be paid to the farmer for fat stock when Government purchase of fat stock is commenced, consideration is being given to the extent to which it may be possible to deal with the special case of quality cattle which kill out at a high percentage. I am not aware of what ray hon. Friend has in mind in referring to an English costing tribunal. I may say that the question of prices for fat stock has been the subject of discussions between my Department and the Agricultural Departments and also with the National Farmers' Unions of England and Scotland.