§ Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Food how the cost during the past 12 months
(1) Commodity (2) Estimated average prices of imported supplies, 1953–54 (3) Estimated average prices of home produce, 1953–54 (4) Proportions of imported and home-produced supplies, 1953–54 Imported Home Produced (£ per ton) (£ per ton) Per cent. Per cent. Beef … … … 174.0 207.7 35.3 64.7 Lamb … … … 189.0 290.4 60.8 39.2 Bacon … … … 252.3 399.8 57.9 42.1 Eggs … … … 3s. 6½d. per doz. 4s. 5¾d. per doz. 17.5 82.5 Sugar (raw) … … 39.8 43.7 79.0 21.0 Wheat … … … 30.1 30.7 60.0 40.0 Barley (feeding) … … 23.8 25.0 39.0 61.0
NOTES: 1. The prices in column (2) are approximate estimates of the average landed prices, excluding duty, for imported supplies. The prices in column (3) are approximate estimates of the average prices recoverable by farmers. In the case of meat, however, for the purpose of comparison of home and import prices, the prices both home and imported are the estimated cost at the point of entry to the Wholesale Meat Supply Association depot. It must be stressed that the figures in column (3) are for fresh home killed meat, whilst those in column (2) are for imported frozen and chilled meat. The price for home produced bacon is the estimated average cost ex factory. 2. Prices are for April-March, 1953–54, with the exception of wheat and barley, which are for crop year 1953–54. 3. The figures in the above table are estimates and therefore subject to revision. >4. The average price of imported shell eggs (column (2)) is based on the Trade and Navigation Accounts for the calendar year 1953. The average price of home produced eggs (column (3)) is ex packing station. 5. It should be borne in mind that it is not possible to make accurate comparisons between the prices paid for home produced food and for imported supplies unless differences in quality, which may be substantial, and variations in the terms of purchase, are taken into account