§ 107 and 108. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Food (1) what amount has been paid this financial year by way of deficiency payments for fatstock; and how much it is now estimated will be paid this financial year;
(2) what amount has been paid this financial year by way of Home-Grown Cereals Deficiency Payments; and how much it is now estimated will be paid this financial year.
Dr. HillDeficiency payments on fat-stock to 12th November amount to £21.8 million. No deficiency payments on cereals have yet been made. I cannot yet say what, if any, Supplementary Estimate may be required.
§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Minister of Food if he will speed up the payment to pig producers of the amounts due to them under the individual guarantees of deficiency payments, as at the moment delays of up to eight weeks are occurring.
Mr. AmoryWe are already making good progress with the speeding up of payments. The average time taken to pay a producer is between 2½ to 3½ weeks from the date of sale. If my hon. Friend 47W will send me particulars of recent instances of delays such as he mentions, I will look into them.