HC Deb 16 June 1964 vol 696 cc169-70W
Sir Richard Glyn

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will state, either precisely or approximately, what proportion of the 46,630 old cows, bulls and calves, exported alive from this country in the first four months of this year has attracted a direct subsidy from the British Government; how much of this subsidy has been

Mr. Noble

Slum clearance statistics were not collected prior to 1955 and the information is not therefore available over the whole period. The following table gives the figures from 1955.

paid to the foreign buyers concerned; and if he will state comparable figures for the 46,412 bullocks and heifers exported alive during the same period.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Cows, bulls and calves are not eligible for the fatstock subsidy. Bulls are not eligible for the calf subsidy and, although it is possible that some of the beef type cows and calves exported may have attracted this subsidy, the numbers involved would be very small indeed.

Of the bullocks and heifers exported, it is reasonable to assume that not all would have reached the minimum standard required for the fatstock subsidy, but we have no means of estimating the proportion. It is probable that the majority of the bullocks and heifers exported would have attracted calf subsidy.

The fatstock subsidy is a guarantee to producers, based on the difference between the market price and the guaranteed price, and does not itself affect the price at which the meat enters trade. The calf subsidy is paid to the producer. No part of either subsidy therefore, goes to the foreign buyer concerned.