§ 23. Mr. G. LAMBERTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture the number of pigs in Great Britain at the latest available date, and how it compares with similar dates in 1917, 1916, and 1915?
§ Sir RICHARD WINFREY (Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture)There is no figure showing the number of pigs in Great Britain which is strictly comparable with those collected in the Annual Agricultural Returns of the 4th June, 1915, 1916, and 1917. The nearest approach to it is an estimate of the 4th April, which gives the number at 1,650,000. The figures for the 4th June, 1915, 1916, and 1917 were 2,579,084, 2,314,331, and 2,051,486 respectively. In all these cases cottagers' pigs are excluded.
§ 24. Mr. LAMBERTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to enable pig keepers to procure food for even moderately preparing their pigs for market; and whether home-grown barley and oats can be released for that purpose?
Mr. PARKER (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. The application of the Cattle Feeding Stuffs Priority Supply Order has been extended to breeding sows and store pigs, the ration being 4 lbs. per day to the former and 1½ lbs. per day to the latter class of pig. The whole question of the rationing of animals is now engaging the attention of the Joint Orders Committee of the Board of Agriculture and the Ministry of Food, and it is hoped to secure a small supply of dry food for fattening purposes.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWould the hon. Gentleman say how he distinguishes a store pig from an ordinary pig?