§ Major Thornton-Kemsleyasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the adverse effect of the inadequate payment for high-class beef on British breeds of beef cattle; and whether, in view of the importance of these breeds in the maintenance of our supremacy in stock-breeding, he will re-examine the present grading system in conjunction with the Ministry of Food?
Mr. HudsonI have received representations in the sense suggested in the first part of the Question. The possibility of payment for fat cattle on the basis of quality in addition to killing out percentage has been discussed from time to time with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Food, but the objections and difficulties are too serious to enable us to contemplate such a change under present conditions.