§ Sir J. Lambasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, on what basis of cost of production the present controlled prices of eggs was fixed by him; and for which period and year the figures calculated were taken?
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Major Lloyd GeorgeOwing to the great variation in conditions of production, it is impossible to obtain a representative figure of the actual cost of production of eggs for the country as a whole, though information has been obtained concerning the increase in measurable costs. In fixing the maximum prices of home-produced eggs, account is taken of these increased costs (with an allowance for immeasurable items) as well as the normal seasonal variation in prices, though the usual seasonal curve is being flattened to some extent so as to reduce the fluctuation; consideration is also given to any special circumstances at the time, such as abnormally severe weather conditions. The calculations are based on the average prices ruling during the corresponding period of the three years before the war.
§ Colonel Carverasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether, as the hatching season has now commenced, poultry keepers may be given some idea of the future price of eggs on which to base their plans; and whether, as there is considerable feeling in this matter, some practical poultry keepers dependent for their living on the industry will be consulted?
Major Lloyd GeorgeAs explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Sir J. Lamb), the maximum prices of home-produced eggs, which are fixed from time to time, will in the future as in the past be based on the estimated increased costs of production due to the war and on the normal seasonal variation in prices, though the usual seasonal curve will be flattened to some extent so as to reduce the fluctuation; the available data for this purpose are at my disposal, and further consultation with individual poultry keepers is not necessary. I cannot undertake to announce in advance the dates on which further changes of prices will be made, as such foreknowledge would cause dislocation in the trade, and the actual date of any particular price change may be determined by special circumstances at the time.
§ Sir H. Morris-Jonesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, by what proportion has the average number of eggs produced this winter decreased; 967W whether the quality of the egg has deteriorated; to what extent the recent decrease in the price of the egg has affected production on account of rising costs to the poultry-keeper; and whether he will consult with the Minister of Agriculture as to some form of subsidy for this industry?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI have no precise information about the yield of eggs per hen this winter, but it is probable that there has been some decrease owing to war conditions; a special inquiry would be necessary in order to obtain the information. There is no reason to think that there has been any deterioration in the quality of the eggs produced. The recent decrease in the price of eggs is less than normally takes place at this time of the year. The maximum prices fixed from time to time are sufficient to cover the estimated general increased costs of production, having regard to the usual seasonal variation in prices; the question of a subsidy does not therefore arise.