Eggs (Hansard, 10 May 1944)

§ Captain Ramsay
asked the Minister of Food how soon eggs handed in under his scheme at Laurie Symington on a Friday will reach the wholesaler, and how far they will have been transported by the time that they get to Peebles.

§ Colonel Llewellin
The throughput of Messrs. Lawrie and Symington's packing station for each week ended Wednesday is released to Glasgow wholesalers on the Thursday and is in their hands by the Friday of the same week. Peebles is not supplied with eggs from this packing station, therefore, the latter part of the Question does not arise.
1927W

§ Captain Ramsay
asked the Minister of Food what benefit there is to the public of passing eggs through packing stations in view of the fact that producers get the same price for eggs of all sizes and consumers also pay the same; what is the cost per dozen of passing eggs through a packing station; and whether he has considered the suggestions that it would be more economical for producers to hand the eggs to the Ministry at livestock grading centres without the superimposition of a packing station.

§ Colonel Llewellin
The benefit to the public of passing eggs through packing station is equitable distribution of eggs and the receipt by the public of eggs of first quality. Packing stations collect eggs from producers, examine and grade them, rejecting any unsuitable for human consumption, and pack them in suitable boxes for transport. For these services they receive a payment of 2s. 3d. per 120 eggs. Producers only get the same price for eggs of all sizes provided the eggs are of first quality. For eggs not of first quality various deductions are made. Consumers do not pay the same prices for all eggs, the maximum prices being 2s. per dozen for eggs of Category I and Is. 9d. per dozen for eggs of Category II. It would be impracticable for producers to hand in eggs at Livestock Grading Centres. Most

— Northern Ireland Imperial Contribution. Payments†

Unemployment Reinsurance. Excess War Expenditure. Subsidies to procedure‡

£ £ £ £

1939–40 … … 3,000,000 1,402,900 515,200 732,500

1940–41 … … 8,500,000 1,418,700 1,648,900 83,700

1941–42 … … 17,600,000 138,000 2,599,900 89,000

1942–43 … … 21,100,000^* — 4,227,000^* 183,700

1943–44 … … 31,800,000* — 3,540,000* 2,125,800§

^* Provisional.

† Excludes (2) Land Purchase Annuities retained by Northern Ireland under Section 26 of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, amounting to approximately £656,000 per annum; (2) Advances in respect of emergency electricity undertakings (amounting in all to £802,700 net over the three years to 31st March, 1944); and (3) the residuary share of reserved taxes and all payments for agency services.

‡Payable in Northern Ireland in respect of milk, cattle, lime and basic slag, wheat, oats, barley, hill sheep, and (for 1943–44) crop acreage.

§ Approximate.

—	Northern Ireland Imperial Contribution.	Payments†
Unemployment Reinsurance.	Excess War Expenditure.	Subsidies to procedure‡
			£	£	£	£
1939–40	…	…	3,000,000	1,402,900	515,200	732,500
1940–41	…	…	8,500,000	1,418,700	1,648,900	83,700
1941–42	…	…	17,600,000	138,000	2,599,900	89,000
1942–43	…	…	21,100,000^*	—	4,227,000^*	183,700
1943–44	…	…	31,800,000*	—	3,540,000*	2,125,800§
^* Provisional.
† Excludes (2) Land Purchase Annuities retained by Northern Ireland under Section 26 of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, amounting to approximately £656,000 per annum; (2) Advances in respect of emergency electricity undertakings (amounting in all to £802,700 net over the three years to 31st March, 1944); and (3) the residuary share of reserved taxes and all payments for agency services.
‡Payable in Northern Ireland in respect of milk, cattle, lime and basic slag, wheat, oats, barley, hill sheep, and (for 1943–44) crop acreage.
§ Approximate.