§ 35. Mr. LUNDONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will cause steps to be immediately taken by the Irish Department of Agriculture to prevent English bacon curers exporting live swine from Ireland until such time as the Food Controller will fix an equivalent price as regards Irish and English bacon; is he aware that the difference of 8s. or 10s. per cwt. in price is a direct incentive to Messrs. Harris and Harris, and other big bacon curers in this country to go over to Ireland and purchase live swine for export; and if he will take steps to prevent the Irish bacon curers being put at such a disadvantage in the matter of trade? competition with the bacon curers of this country by having such a large margin per cwt. in the prices fixed?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD CONTROL (Captain Bathurst)I have been asked to reply. The prices of bacon were fixed after full consideration of the previous prices for English and Irish bacon, and of the normal difference between them. 580 There seems to be no good reason why these prices should unduly stimulate the export of live pigs from Ireland, which has always existed on an extensive scale. It would certainly not be in the interest of Irish producers to prohibit this export. The prices, as already stated, are subject to revision at periodic intervals.
§ Mr. LUNDONIf the prices come to be revised, will the right hon. Gentleman take good care that Irish bacon curers should be consulted as to the fixing of these prices, and also that the opinion of Irishmen should be taken and not that of a Government broker or contractor?
Captain BATHURSTI cannot say that that question arises, but in any case I can say that Irish producers as well as representatives of the bacon curers will be consulted.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman take care not to prohibit the exportation of live pigs from Ireland, as there are many men deriving a living from that?
Captain BATHURSTI am sorry to say that I could not hear what the hon. Gentleman has asked. Perhaps he will meet me after questions, and I will endeavour to give him an answer.
§ 37. Mr. LUNDONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he was consulted by the Food Controller before the prices for Irish butter and bacon were fixed; and, in view of the necessity for having Irish interests safeguarded in such matters, will he insist that Mr. Hegarty, chairman of the Irish Creamery Managers' Association, who has the confidence of the Irish butter producers, should be consulted when Irish butter prices are being fixed, and also have a representative of the Irish bacon trade consulted as to the price to be fixed for Irish bacon?
Captain BATHURSTI have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In reply to the second part of the question, Mr. Hegarty was present, with other delegates, representing butter and bacon interests in Ireland, at the conference on the 22nd inst. of representatives of Provincial Produce Exchanges and Producers' Associations, to discuss the prices of provisions.
§ Mr. LUNDONWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of my question, that Mr. Hegarty will in future be brought over not on his own initiative, 581 but at the request of the Food Controller, when the butter question comes to be decided? He came over a week ago on his own initiative, without being asked by the Food Controller.
Captain BATHURSTThe Food Controller has not directly anything to do with these conferences. As I have pointed out before, they are held under the auspices of the London and Provincial Produce Exchanges, and they send representatives of the producers, British and Irish. I will make the suggestion to the secretary of the London Produce Exchange.