61. Sir F. HALLasked the Food Controller whether, seeing that imported bacon is sold at the same price as English bacon, the quality of the one is equal to that of the other; whether large quantities of fat backs and shoulders are imported into this country now from the United States; whether in pre-war days there was little or no market for the same, and that the price realised was consequently very low; whether the greater portion of the best parts are reserved for the American market; and whether, considering that the people of this country are being supplied with bacon of an inferior quality, he will forthwith take steps to regulate the prices according to quality and cut, with the view of encouraging the British and Irish bacon industry?
§ Mr. PARKERI am aware that the quality of some imported bacon is frequently inferior to that of English bacon. The Ministry has not bought any "fat backs"; they have bought "short clear backs" and shoulders. There has always been a big market for shoulders and a fair market for short clear backs. The price for short clear backs was never low, as it is an expensive cut of bacon to make. It is not the case that the best parts of the hog are reserved for the American market. The Ministry of Food buys the entire 3421 bacon produce of the hog, cutting it up according to the requirements of the trade. It has not hitherto been considered desirable to differentiate between the price of imported and home-cured bacon, but the question is under review.
Sir F. HALLIs it not a fact that the American packer can send his pigs here cut into middles, shoulders, backs, and so on, whereas the English farmer has to sell his pigs entire; and, under the circumstances, will my hon. Friend, considering the poor quality of the bacon, take immediate steps to see if it cannot be remedied, so as to get better quality bacon into this country?
§ Mr. PARKERI do not know, but, according to the answer I have given, the Ministry of Food state that they buy the whole pig and cut it up in the way they desire. If that is so, what the hon. Member has said cannot be true.
Sir F. HALLMay I press my hon. Friend for a reply to the request that immediate steps will be taken to see if some improvement cannot be obtained?
§ Mr. PARKERI will draw the attention of the Ministry to it.