§ 57. Sir J. Duncanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total cost to the taxpayer in 1957–58 of the agricultural subsidies and production grants which come within the purview of the Annual Price Review; and what are his estimates on a comparable basis for 1958–59.
§ Mr. GodberThe provision made in Estimates for 1957–58 (including Supplementary Estimates) for the agricultural grants and subsidies which come within the purview of the Annual Price Review amounted to £284.8 million. The comparable figure in Estimates for 1958–59 is £291.3 million, but this does not take account of the determination made after this year's Annual Review nor the subsequent decision to reduce the retail price of milk for five months; the net effect of these is to reduce the estimated requirement by some £9 million. The actual figures will depend on many factors including output, sales and market prices.