ISSUES FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1940. RELEASE TIME. NO. SUBJECT. ORIGIN. 12 1 Meat & Livestock: Ministry of Food. p.m. Transition to Control Read out French Official Communique Paris - by ' phone. 10.17 a.m. 2 (Morning) 10.26 a.m. 3 New Address of R.A.F. Family Air Ministry Allowance Branch. 12.8 p.m. 4 Prices of Livestock Under Ministry of Food. Control Scheme. 12.22 p.m. 5 Rations for Civilians and Ministry of Food. for Seamen 12.22 p.m. 6 Supply of Bacon and Ham in Ministry of Food. Catering Establishments. 5. p.m. 7 Loss of H.M. Trawler Admiralty KINGSTON CORNELIAN Read out 8 French Official Communique via Paris 'Phone. 8.11 p.m. (Evening) Read out 9 s.s. City of Marseilles. Air Affairs. 8.18 p.m. MINISTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT. 7/1/40. - No.l. MEAT AND LIVESTOCK. TRANSITION TO CONTROL. The Meat and Livestock Control Scheme comes into operation on Monday, 15th January, 1940. To facilitate the transition, the Minister of Food has decided that all slaughtering of livestock for food must cease throughout the country from midnight Sunday, 14th January, and that slaughtering on behalf of the Ministry will not begin until after midnight, Monday 15th January. Fresh meat is, therefore, unlikely to be available for butchers until the 17th January at the earliest. Butchers are accordingly advised that they should do all that is possible to safeguard against a shortage of supplies in the early part of the week commencing 15th January. Wholesalers will in many cases carry over supplies of fresh meat, and heavier supplies of imported meat will be made available in the early part of the commencing 15th January, through the active collaboration of the Meat Importers National (Defence) Association Limited. Heavier supplies of manufacturing meat will be made available to meat manufacturers in the week preceding 15th January, to enable them to produce increased quantities of sausage and other products. They will be advised to distribute these goods in larger quantities than normal to meet the anticipated shortage in home-killed meat during the early part of the first week of control. 7/1/40 - No.2. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (Morning). The following communique was issued this morning from the French G.H.Q.: - Patrol activity at different points of the front. In the region east of the Blies, fairly sharp artillery action on both sides after nightfall. Press and Publicity Branch, Air Ministry, King Charles Street, Whitehall, S.W.l. 7th January, 1940. Dear Sir, I attach a short announcement regarding the change of address of the department of the Air Ministry which deals with questions of the payment of various allowances to dependants of Royal Air Force personnel. As many of people concerned are unaware of the change of address occasional hardship has been caused through the unavoidable delay in dealing with enquiries caused through using the wrong address. I should be grateful if you could arrange to give the notice publicity. Yours faithfully, C.P. Robertson Press and Publicity Officer. The Editor, URGENT NEWS. A.M. Bulletin N0.299. R.A.F FAMILY ALLOWANCE BRANCH CHANGE OF ADDRESS. The Air Ministry department which deals with family allowances, dependants' allowances and allotments of pay of Royal Air Force personnel has moved from Ibex House, Minories, London to Tetbury, Gloucestershire. All enquiries regarding payment of any of these allowances should be addressed direct to the Director of Accounts, Air Ministry (Dept.J.J.), Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Press and Publicity Branch, Air Ministry, King Charles Street, Whitehall, S.w.l. 7th January, 1940. MINISTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT 7/1/40 No 4. CONTROL OF MEAT AND LIVESTOCK Prices of Livestock. When control of fatstock and meat commences on Monday, 15th January, 1940, the Ministry of Food will purchase livestock at collecting centres in Great Britain at the prices set out in this Summary. These prices which have been the subject of discussion with the National Farmers’ Unions of England and Wales and of Scotland, reflect the increases in the maximum prices of feeding stuffs which come into operation on 8th January, and take account of the difficulties experienced by farmers in feeding their stock under war conditions and the higher level of prices mentioned in the speech of the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in the House of Commons on December 14th. The prices will be adjusted in accordance with normal seasonal trends and will be subject to review in the event of any material change in circumstances. A statement giving full details will be available in pamphlet form at an early date. I - FAT CATTLE (1) Steers, Heifers and Cow-heifers (a) Home-bred Grade Killing out Price per percentage live cwt. Special 60 and over 64/6 A. 58 and under 60 61/6 57 60/- 56 58/6 B. 55 56/- 54 54/6 53 53/- C. 52 46/6 51 44/- 50 41/6 The above prices include a sum equivalent to the subsidy at present payable for fat cattle under the Livestock Industry Act,l937, which on /January 2 January 15th, 1940, will cease to be paid direct to farmers but will be credited by the Exchequer to the Meat and Livestock Fund of the Ministry. The prices which will be paid for any home- bred cattle purchased by the Ministry which have previously been certified for cattle subsidy will, in the case of animals of special grade or grade A, be 7/6 per cwt. and, in the case of animals of Grade B, be 5/- per cwt. less than those set out above. (b) Imported Grade Killing Price per out live cwt. percentage If sold for If sold for slaughter within slaughter after 3 months of being 3 months importation in this country Special 60 and over 56/6 62/- quality A. 58 and under 60 53/6 59/- 57 52/6 57/6 56 51/6 56/- B. 55 50/6 53/6 54 49/6 52/- 53 48/6 50/6 C. 52 46/6 46/6 51 44/- 44/- 50 41/6 41/6 The cattle subsidy has not been payable in respect of imported cattle until they have been in the United Kingdom for a period of three calendar months and when payable the rates of subsidy have been 2/6 per cwt. less than for home bred animals. The prices set out above at which the Ministry of Food will purchase imported cattle fattened in Great Britain have been adjusted to secure a similar effect. The prices which will be paid for any imported cattle which have previously been certified for subsidy will in the case of animals of special grade Grade be 5/- cwt. less, and in the case of animals or A, per of grade B, 2/6 per cwt. less than the prices set out in the last column above. (2) Fat Cows Grade Killing out Price per Percentage live cwt. A. 55 and over 38/- 54 36/- 53 34/- B. 52 31/6 51 29/6 50 27/6 C. 49 25/- 48 23/- 47 21/- (3) Bulls Grade Killing out Price per percentage live cwt. A. 58 and over 40/- 57 39/- 56 38/- B. 55 36/6 54 35/6 53 34/6 C. 52 31/- 51 28/- 50 25/- II - CALVES. (1) Veal Calves First quality 13d. per lb.estimated dressed carcase weight Second quality 11d.per lb.estimated dressed carcase weight Third quality 7d.per lb.estimated dressed carcase weight Calves which are neither genuine veal calves nor "bobbies", but are fit for the retail meat trade will be classed as third quality. (2) Bobbies and Boners These calves are suitable only for manufacture Large 25/- per head Medium 20/- " " Small 15/- 111 - SHEEP AND LAMBS (1) Fat Sheep. The price to be paid for fat sheer will be on the basis of an annual average price of 12d. per lb. estimated dressed carcase weight. The price " 4 price for the initial period will be 12d. per lb. estimated dressed carcase weight. (2) Fat Lambs The price to be paid for fat lambs will be 1 1/2d. per lb. above the price payable for sheep. An animal will be classed as a lamb until the date of shearing in the year following birth. The price of lambs for the initial period will be 13 1/2d. per lb. estimated dressed carcase weight. (3) Sucking Lambs It is recognised that farmers have already made arrangements for the production of sucking lambs for the present season. For this reason a special price of l/5d. per lb. will be paid for the present season only until 30th April, 1940. (4) Ewes The price to be paid for fat ewes will be subject to the same seasonal variations as those for fat sheep. For fat ewes estimated to kill out at not more than 64 lb. the price will be 4d. per lb. less than the for and for fat estimated to kill out at price payable sheep ewes more than 64 lb. the price will be 5d. per lb. less than the price payable for sheep. The price for any lean ewes purchased for slaughter will be standardised at 4d. per lb. The initial which will be paid for will therefore be prices ewes as fallows:- Fat light weight ewes 8d. per lb. estimated dressed carcase weight. Other fat ewes 7d. " " " " Lean ewes 4d. " " " " " Provision will be made that the amount in respect of fat so paid a ewe exceeding 64 lb. estimated dressed carcase weight shall not be less than that payable in respect of a fat ewe of 64 lb. estimated dressed carcase weight. (5) Rams Fat ram prices will also he subject to the same seasonal variations as those for fat sheep, being fixed at 5d. per lb. below the prescribed the initial therefore, fat will price for fat sheep. For period, rams be purchased at 7d. per lb. estimated dressed carcase weight. The / 5 The price for any lean ram purchased for slaughter will be standardised at 3d. per lb. estimated dressed carcase weight. Young tup rams will be regarded as rams if showing male characteristics. PIGS. (1) The prices for pigs during the period ending April 30th, in the absence of any material change in circumstances will be as follows:- Fat Pigs up to 9 score dead weight 18/6 per score Pigs from 9 score 1 lb up to 10 score 18/- " " 10 " 1 " 11 17/6 " " " " " " lb " 12 16/6 " " " " " " " 11 1 lb 15/- " over 12 score " " 6/6 " " Rig Pigs 1 Stag Pigs 12/6 " " 15/- " " Sows 9/- " " Boars (2) (a) Small increases have been agreed to the scales of allowance authorised for (i ) transit shrinkage (which will be extended to cover pork pigs) and (ii) delivery of pigs in producers’ vehicles. (b) Arrangements are included for extending the insurance on bacon pigs to cover pork pigs at 6d. per pig (2/- for sows). MINISTRY OF FOOD. 7/1/40 - No.5. MINISTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT. RATIONS FOR CIVILIANS AND FOR SEAMEN. Directions under the Rationing Order, 1939. An Order made by the Minister of Food on 6th January, contains directions designed to give effect to the Rationing Order made on 27th December last. It prescribes the amounts of the various rations. The ration for civilians, as already announced, is 4 oz. of bacon or ham, free of bone, (3 1/2 oz. if cooked), 4 oz. of butter and 12 oz. of sugar. The Order authorizes the supply to seamen of 6 oz. of bacon or ham, 12 oz. of butter and 12 oz. of sugar weekly in accordance with statutory scales applicable as from 1st February, 1940, to seamen whose provisions are supplied by the ship-owner. The allowances of rationed foods permitted to be served for consumption in catering establishments (which includes hotels, restaurants, cafes, coffee stalls, clubs, canteens and other places of refreshment open to the public) are 1/6th oz. butter per customer per meal served, and 1/7th oz. sugar per customer per meal served, with a further allowance of l/7th oz. of sugar for each hot beverage served to a customer. The Order also prescribes the records which are to be kept by catering establishments and institutions. MINISTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT. 7/1/40 - No 6. SUPPLY OF BACON AND HAM IN CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS. An Order made on 6th January by the Minister of Food to amend the Rationing Order, 1939, takes effect forthwith. The amendments are directed mainly to giving effect to the recent announcement that bacon and ham may be served in catering establishments for consumption on the premises without the necessity for the customer to give up a coupon or portion of a coupon. The Order is so worded as to permit the sale of ham sandwiches by catering establishments for consumption off the premises. 7/1/40. - No. 7. ADMIRALTY COMMUNIQUE The Secretary of the Admiralty regrets to announce the loss, with all hands, of H.M. Trawler KINGSTON CORNELIAN as the result of a collision. The names of the Officer in Command and the Ship’s Company are as follows, and the next of kin have been informed. William Green, Skipper, R.N.R. Anderson, W.G. Second Hand, R.N.R. Bartlett, J.D. Sig. R.N.V.R. Blackburn, G.T. Stoker, R.N.R. Bruce, Norman Seaman, R.N.R. Crimlis, Ronald Seaman, R.N.R. Denman, A.G. T. Seaman Cook, R.N.R. Dunlop, James Stoker, R.N.R. Fish, Lawrence Seaman, R.N.R. Hassack, James Seaman, R.N.R. Haytor, W.H. Seaman, R.N.R. McDonnell, John Engineman MacKay, D.H. Seaman, R.N.R. Maguire, John Leading Seaman, R.N.R. Norman, A.E. A.B. Pierce, P.M. Ord. Sig.R.N.V.R. Smith, James Engineman, R.N.R. ADMIRALTY, S.W.1. 7/1/40. - No. 8. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE The following official communique issued from French was G.H.Q. this evening:- ”Nothing of importance to report”. 7/1/40. - No. 9. S.S. "CITY OF MARSEILLES". (Hot to be quoted as an Air Ministry announcement.) R.A.F. Coastal Command aircraft went out to report on the condition of the "City of Marseilles" and to ascertain what assistance was required. The aircraft found survivors in lifeboats being towed by a pilot boat. Following signals from the air, other craft, including a R.A.F. high-speed launch and three power-boats, were despatched to help in the rescue. AIR AFFAIRS.