§ Sir G. Foxasked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the continuance to farmers of guaranteed prices till 1948, he will state what these prices now are in respect of milk, sugar-beet, wheat and rye, barley and fat cows, eggs, poultry, pigs, sheep and cattle, other than fat cows together with the money involved in each case.
Mr. HudsonThe farm products for which minimum prices are guaranteed until the summer of 1948 are milk, fat cattle and fat sheep. The procedure for dealing with other commodities, including cereals, is under discussion with the Farmers' Unions. Particulars are given of the present average prices of milk, cattle and sheep which are guaranteed as minimum prices for four years. It is not possible to state the amount of money involved in each case.
Present Prices of Milk, Cattle and Sheep
Prices of milk vary according to region and time of year. They are so arranged as to give as near as may be at present an average price for England and Wales of 17.35d. per gallon in the summer and 29.21d. per gallon in the winter, plus, in each case, the balance of the 1d. per gallon awarded last autumn after meeting the cost of revising certain transport charges. It is estimated that this balance will amount to .3 pence per gallon. Prices of fat cattle and sheep vary according to grade and season. They are so arranged that the current average prices in England and Wales for the year as a whole are as near as may be 69s. 7d. per live cwt. for fat steers, heifers and cow-heifers, 41s. 4d. per live cwt. for fat cows, is. 5½d. per lb, dressed carcase weight for fat lambs, and 1s. 4d. per lb. for fat unshorn sheep.