§ 79. Mr. H. Fraserasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, owing to the inadequate rations, half of the present racing pigeon stock is threatened with destruction; and whether he will now double the ration allowed to fanciers.
Commodity. Unit. Price if Subsidy were completely removed. Price if Subsidy were reduced by 75 per cent. Price if Subsidy were reduced by 50 per cent. Price if were reduced by 25 per cent. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Bacon … … … lb. 3 0 ¼ 2 10 2 7 ½ 2 5 Bread … … … 3½ lb. loaf 1 2 ¾ 1 1 ½ 1 0 10 ½ Flour … … … 7 lb. 2 6 ½ 2 3 ¼ 2 0 1 8 ¾ Shell Eggs … … … dozen 4 3 3 11 ¼ 3 7 ½ 3 3 ¾ Milk … … … quart 11 ¾ 11 ½ 11 10 ½ Butter … … … lb. 2 7 ½ 2 3 ¾ 1 11 ¾ 1 8 Cheese … … … lb. 1 10 ¾ 1 7 ½ 1 4 ½ 1 1 ¼ Margarine (Domestic) … lb. 1 1 ½ 1 0 ¼ 11 ¼ 10 Cooking Fat (Domestic) … lb. 1 3 ¾ 1 3 1 2 1 1 Lard … … … lb. 1 11 ½ 1 8 ½ 1 5 ¾ 1 2 ¾ Potatoes … … … 7 lb. 1 1 1 0 ¼ 11 ¾ 11 Sugar … … … lb. 7 ¼ 6 ½ 6 5 ½ Tea … … … lb. 4 2 ½ 3 11 ¾ 3 9 ¼ 3 6 ¼ Carcase Meat (based on present average price of 10¾d. per lb.) lb. 1 3 1 1 ¾ 1 0 ¾ 11 ¾
Notes:— (1) The indirect effect of animal feedingstuffs subsidies on home produced livestock products has not been taken into account. (2) The subsidy on milk used for home produced butter and cheese has not been taken into account. (3) The acreage subsidies are included. (4) The subsidies for Welfare Schemes are not included.
§ Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Food if he will enumerate the foodstuffs the price of which would rise to twice the present level if the subsidy were removed.
§ Mr. StracheyRationed cheese is the only foodstuff the subsidy on which equals or exceeds the retail price.
18W
§ Mr. StracheyFormer members of the National Pigeon Service are receiving a smaller allocation of pigeon food than before, but a large number of pigeon owners are now receiving an allocation for the first time. I am afraid we could not increase the total supply without diverting pulses and grain from more essential uses.