HC Deb 13 November 1933 vol 281 cc555-6
36. Marquess of TITCHFIELD

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any losses made by pig curers will be sustained by the producers in future contracts?

Mr. ELLIOT

The insurance scheme which has been agreed to by the Pigs and Bacon Marketing Boards, and which is being facilitated by an advance under the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, provides that if an over-estimate has been made of bacon prices under market conditions during the first contract period, producers' returns will in effect be averaged out as between this and the next two subsequent contract periods. The Debate on the Bacon (Imports Regulation) Order, 1933, on Wednesday next, will afford an opportunity for a fuller statement on this subject.

Mr. THORNE

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the reason why there is a difference between the price paid for black pigs and other pigs?

44. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated quantity of bacon to be imported into Great Britain during the quarter ending 31st December, 1933, showing the quantity from each separate country and comparable figures for the quarter ended 31st December, 1932?

Mr. ELLIOT

I am arranging for a statement to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

STATEMENT of estimated quantity of Bacon and Hams to be imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the quarter ending 31st December, 1933, and imports for the quarter ended 31st December, 1932.
Country Quarter ended 31st December, 1932. Quarter ending 31st December, 1933. (Estimated of basis of provisional allocations.)
Cwt. Cwt.
Denmark 1,835,219 1,125,000
Holland 385,739 170,000
Poland 266,042 165,000
Lithuania 156,330 83,000
Sweden 85,046 78,500*
Estonia 28,191 15,000
Finland 12,864 9,000
Latvia 13,063 8,000
U.S.S.R. — 5,107 8,500
Argentina 27,082 12,500
U.S.A. 123,869 109,000
Canada 56,920 206,000
Irish Free State. 70,775 82,000
Other Countries 2,114 12,500
Total 3,068,361 2,084,000
* The percentage allocation to Sweden is still under discussion. Pending further consideration, and without prejudice, Sweden is by arrangement shipping at the rate of 4.8 per cent. of foreign allocations. On this basis imports from Sweden in the current quarter would be about 85,000 cwt.