§ Mr. George Craddockasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take in view of the intention of egg producers to slaughter millions of hens still in the prime of life, which would reduce egg output and create an inflationary situation in egg prices.
§ Mr. HoyI think my hon. Friend is referring to a suggestion for the possible control of egg production by giving producers a financial inducement to slaughter hens in certain circumstances before the end of the normal laying cycle. This suggestion has, I understand, been circulated by the National Farmers' Union to its county branches for comment, but the N.F.U. has made it clear that this in no 101W way implies its acceptance of the scheme or of the principles underlying it.
No question of action therefore arises at this stage.