§ 19. Sir P. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the reluctance of pig producers to contract for a full supply of pigs to the bacon factories during 1938 in the absence of an assured price covering costs of production, he will give further consideration to the desirability of anticipating, by a repayable advance, the operation of the proposed ear-marked tariff on foreign bacon so as to enable home producers to obtain a steady price?
§ Mr. ELLIOTNo, Sir. Under the proposals announced in June last, the subsidy payable from the proceeds of the levy on imports of foreign bacon was to compensate the home industry for any fall in price resulting from the contemplated increase in imports. The proposals did not provide for additional assistance while the present degree of import regulation is maintained.
§ 22. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of pigs supplied to bacon curers during 1934, the estimated figure for 1935 and the number contracted for in 1936?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe number of pigs supplied to curers in 1934 under contracts made in accordance with the Pigs Marketing Scheme was 1,437,000. The number estimated to be delivered in 1935 is approximately 1,800,000. The number at present contracted for delivery in 1936 is just over 2,000,000.