§ 82. Mr. Deedesasked the Minister of Food the prices paid per dozen for winter eggs and spring eggs, respectively, during 1950 and 1951; and what prices have been agreed by his Department for the next six months.
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Dr. HillFollowing is the information:
The following is the full range of prices paid to producers for hen eggs of first quality in 1950 and 1951:
per dozen eggs. 1950 s. d. 5th Jan. to 18th Jan. … 5 6 19th Jan. to 15th Feb. … 5 0 16th Feb. to 23rd Aug. … 3 9 24th Aug. to 20th Sept. … 4 6 21st Sept. to 20th Dec. … 5 0 21st Dec. to 3rd Jan., 1951 … 4 6 1951 4th Jan. to 28th Feb. … 4 6 1st March to 30th May … 3 6 31st May to 20th June … 4 0 21st June to 8th Aug. … 4 6 9th Aug. to 17th Oct. … 5 0 18th Oct. until varied … 6 0 Deductions in Great Britain from the above prices for second quality eggs and for dirty eggs otherwise of first quality were Is. per dozen until 16th May, 1951. On 17th May, 1951, the rate of deduction for second quality eggs was increased to 1s. 6d. per dozen, the rate for dirty eggs otherwise of first quality remaining unchanged at 1s. per dozen. Deductions in Northern Ireland for second quality eggs and dirty eggs otherwise of first quality were 1s. 6d. per dozen throughout the two years.
Prices to producers for duck eggs were at a lower level than the above prices for hen eggs. On 17th May, 1951, duck eggs were removed from control and from that date duck eggs were permitted to be sold free of price or other control. The Ministry of Food undertook, however, to buy duck eggs through the packing stations at seasonal prices advertised in the Press from time to time as appropriate.
Following the review of agricultural prices under the Agriculture Act, 1947, in February, 1951, the Agricultural Departments of the United Kingdom and the Ministry of Food announced that the top winter price of 6s. per dozen for hen eggs in 1951–52 would fall by six stages to 3s. per dozen at the close of the production year which ends in March, 1952. This announcement is subject to any changes which may be necessary as a result of the special review of agricutural prices now taking place.
The prices to operate from April, 1952, will be considered in the review of agricultural prices in February, 1952.