§ Mr. Parkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what price per ton was paid to growers under contract for cabbage, savoy, winter and spring, during March, April, May and June; what was the net price per ton received by the Ministry from the sales of this cabbage; the total tonnage handled each month; and the net loss or gain on the transactions?
§ Mr. MabaneThe prices paid to growers under the contracts placed by my Department last autumn were, according to the type of contract and the month of delivery:
£ s. d. £ For spring cabbage— in March 22 0 0 or 27 per ton in April 18 0 0 or 22 per ton in May 13 10 0 or 17 per ton in June 9 0 0 or 12 per ton For savoys— in March 18 0 0 or 22 per ton in April 18 0 0 or 22 per ton For winter cabbage— in March 16 0 0 or 20 per ton in April 16 0 0 or 20 per ton in May 13 10 0 or 17 per ton in June 9 0 0 or 12 per ton Contracts were not offered for savoys to be delivered later than April.
The average price returned to the Ministry for these cabbages, after allowing for agents' commission was, during March £7 14s. 1d. per ton, during April £8 11s. 8d. per ton, during May £ 16s. 1d. The total tonnages were during March 4,024 tons, during April 6,575 tons, during May 8,533 tons. The net loss for these three months, after payment of agents' charges and transport costs, was £282,100 18s. 3d. Returns are not available for June.