§ 67. Sir R. COOPERasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is satisfied with the progress of pig breeding; what is the increase in the number of pigs during the last twelve months; and what are the difficulties that prevent a large development of this industry?
§ Mr. PROTHEROThe Department's figures refer only to pigs on holdings of I acre and over in England and Wales. They show that, although there has been an estimated decrease in the number of pigs on such holdings from 1,919,000 on the 4th June, 1917, to about 1,695,000 on the 4th June last, there has been an estimated increase of 34,000 in the number of sows on such holdings between those dates. A considerable increase has also been effected, partly through the efforts of my hon. Friend the Member for the East Grinstead 209 Division, in the number of pigs kept on allotments and on other holdings of less than 1 acre, by means of pig clubs and similar associations. To what extent further development can be pushed must depend wholly on the supply of feeding stuffs that can be assured to the keepers of pigs during the coming season.
§ Sir R. COOPERMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will answer the first part of the question, and at the same time will he say whether it is not the fact that the control of feeding-stuffs is under another Department, and that the country is suffering very much in consequence?
§ Mr. PROTHEROOn the subject of the breeding of pigs, I am perfectly satisfied with the progress this industry is making. It is quite true that feeding-stuffs are under the control of another Department.
§ Major E. WOODWill the right hon. Gentleman now note the desirability, in conjunction with the Food Control, of making some statement to allay the apprehensions of a slump in pigs, which have arisen as the result of Mr. Hoover's recent speech?
§ Mr. PROTHEROI should like notice of that.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a big diminution in the number of pigs in Ireland owing to the shortage in the offals of wheat, and owing to the fact that the price of Indian meal, a substitute, is 33 per cent. higher than the home-grown feeding-stuffs, which would cost the farmer 2s. as against 4s. for Indian meal, and is it to be expected that the farmer will pay 4s. for a substitute for that which he can grow better at home for half the price?
§ Mr. PROTHEROI regret to say that I am aware that there is a decrease in the number of pigs in Ireland, and that it is in the main attributable to the shortage of feeding-stuffs. I am also aware of the disparity between the price of home-grown feeding-stuffs for pigs, which is obliged to go into bread, and the price of the substitute which the farmers are obliged to buy.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the controlled price of wheat, barley, and oats which farmers produce for the open market is only 2s. 210 per 14 lbs., as against 4s. for Indian meal—100 per cent. more than the cost of the farmer's home-grown feeding-stuffs?
§ Mr. PROTHEROThat question should be addressed to the Ministry of Food.
§ Mr. FLAVINYou ought to have it in your own Department.