§ Mr. Godman Irvineasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes have recently been made in the fees for post-mortem examinations of poultry in his Department's laboratories.
Mr. Vane:From 1st December, 1960, the fees charged for post-mortem examinations of poultry at the Department's Veterinary Laboratories were raised from 3s. to 12s. 6d. for adult birds and growers over four weeks' old, and from 5s. to 17s. 6d. for batches of chicks.
The fees have remained unchanged since the service was introduced in 1925, despite greatly increased costs. Even at the new rates, this service will not be self-supporting and, as already announced, my right hon. Friend intends to introduce full economic fees on 1st December, 1961.