19 SEPTEMBER 1958, Page 21

SIR,—As a registered egg producer may I be allowed to

point out to Mrs. Andersson that poultry farmers now pay for the cost of administering the subsidy on eggs which prior to the coming into force of the Egg Marketing Board was borne by the taxpayer?

The operation of the Egg Marketing Board costs about f1,000,000 per annum and this expense, which is carried by registered egg producers, has substan- tially increased the cost of producing eggs.

I agree that the controls operated by the Board make it more difficult for consumers to obtain fresh eggs, but it should be remembered that the Board was brought 'into power to control eggs, not to speed their journey from nest to shopping basket.—Yours faithfully,

JACK MERRICKS

Little Ashes, Ickleshant,Wittchelsea, Sussex