§ Mr. Priceasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the importance of an adequate meat supply for miners and other heavy workers; and, in view of this, why a scheme put forward on behalf of certain societies interested in the breeding and feeding of cattle with a view to encouraging production of economical and early-maturity cattle, killing out at high percentages, has been rejected although involving only an additional payment to the producer of 2s. 6d. per live hundredweight or ½d. per pound by the butcher?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The scheme to which my hon. Friend refers was found to be impracticable under control conditions and in any case it would not have led to any material increase in meat supplies. I might add that increased prices have been paid for cattle killing out at 57 per cent. and over since 1st September, and it has been decided to reintroduce the grade for 58 per cent. cattle on 2nd March next, some two months earlier than in 1941.