§ Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been paid in compensation for birds destroyed during the fowl pest epidemic; and what proportion of the estimated loss to the farmers is covered by these payments.
§ Mr. John HareCompensation payments actually made to owners of poultry since the beginning of the financial year already exceed £3.2 million and further substantial claims will have to be met before the end of the year. While such payments probably represent most of the loss to the industry, I cannot estimate how much more has been met under insurance policies or borne by producers themselves. It is also well known that Infected Area Restrictions impose hardship and consequential loss on poultry-keepers and others connected with the industry.