§ 42. Mr. GINNELLasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the Department brought under the notice of the Food Controller before he issued his Order reducing the price of Irish bacon the necessary consequential reduction of the price of Irish pigs; whether this reduction already amounts to (is per hundredweight, or an average of 10s. per pig; and, in view of the effect of this tax upon Irish farmers and cottagers in regard to the increased production of this article of human food, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD CONTROL (Captain Bathurst)I have been asked to reply. It is a fact that the reduction in the price of bacon involved a reduction in the price of Irish pigs to the extent indicated. Prior to the intervention of the Food Controller the prices of pig meat were forced to a high and speculative level. It is considered that the bacon prices now authorised will not involve hardship or the risk of any decrease-in production.
§ Mr. GINNELLIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that the reduction of 10s in the price of pigs inflicts a hardship on the Irish farmers?
Captain BATHURSTNo, Sir. A similar reduction has been made in the price of English pigs, and there was a corresponding rise in the price of both at the beginning of the year, which was not in the public interest.