§ 48. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture the percentage difference in price of English and of Danish bacon and ham for the year 1921 and at the present time?
§ Major ELLIOTIn 1924; Danish green bacon was on average about 10 per cent. cheaper than English green bacon. The corresponding figure at the present time is 23 per cent. I regret that I am unable to supply similar figures in respect of hams.
§ 51. Sir GIFFORD FOXasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the anxiety among farmers at the official announcement in Denmark that the British Government is prepared to allow Denmark to maintain its present quota of bacon into this country in return for increased purchases by Denmark of British products; whether his Department is taking steps to safeguard the interests of British pig producers in any trade negotiations; and whether any agreement which may be reached will conform with the promise of the Government to limit imports of bacon progressively as production increases in this country?
§ Major ELLIOTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Sir J. Lamb) on 16th March. In answer to the last part of the question, I can assure my hon. Friend that it is not the intention of His Majesty's Government to conclude any agreement which would be inconsistent with their declared policy for the expansion of the bacon industry of this country.