§ 65. Mr. Hurdasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of how much of the total food subsidy of £484 million will be saved by abolishing the subsidy on animal feeding-stuffs; and if it is intended that the whole of the consequential rise in the cost of meat, milk and eggs will be Met from the food subsidy account.
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§ Sir S. CrippsAs announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on 24th January, the Government have decided that it would be desirable to raise prices of feedingstuffs substantially. The details of the price increases have not yet been settled and I cannot therefore estimate the effect on the food subsidies. The Question of any consequential adjustments of the prices to be paid to farmers for livestock and livestock products has yet to be discussed between the Agricultural Departments and the Farmers' Unions of the United Kingdom during the Annual Price Review which is to take place this month. The results of this Review will affect the prices paid by the Ministry of Food and therefore the food subsidy total.