§ 69. Captain Sir C. BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the importance of multiplying rapidly the pig population before next autumn and winter and the present scarcity of gilts and breeding sows, he will issue an Order prohibiting for a time the slaughter of gilts and breeding sows now being fattened for the butcher?
§ Sir R. WINFREYThe Advisory Committee on Pig Production have carefully considered this matter, and do not recommend the issue of such an Order as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests. The regulations as to price of pigs and pig-meat, and as to control of slaughter, which are already in operation, or about to be brought into operation, will, it is thought, encourage the breeding of as many pigs as can be made fit for slaughter under existing conditions.
§ Sir C. BATHURSTDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that the very fact that a higher price for bacon and pigs that has been fixed constitutes a strong temptation for them to send to the butcher half-fattened sows that are not in pig?
§ Sir R. WINFREYI will convey that to the Pig Committee which has just been established.
§ 85. Sir R. COOPERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps are taken to decide the suitability of corn or other food for human 971 consumption, or for pig-feeding, or other purposes; and if he is satisfied that decisions are invariably given in the best national interest?
§ Mr. CLYNESAn Order delegating the adjudication of damaged grain to divisional food commissioners and to officers or committees appointed by such commissioners will be issued at an early date.