§ 25. Mr. LIDDALLasked the Minister of Agriculture if he can now state the full policy of the Government in regard to pigs and pig products; and when that policy will be published in a form understandable by the pig breeder and feeder?
§ Major ELLIOTThe recommendations of the Reorganisation Commission for Pigs and Pig Products were addressed in part to the Government and in part to pig producers and curers. As I informed the House on 19th December last, the Government, for their part, have accepted, in principle, the Commission's recommendations. That is to say they are prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to facilitate the establishment of a reorganised bacon industry in this country on a firm footing, to provide for its expansion within reasonable limits, and to regulate imports, by arrangement or otherwise, so far as may be requisite for the purpose. Since that date, the Government have implemented their undertaking by introducing the Agricultural Marketing Bill and by maintaining a system of voluntary regulation of bacon imports from foreign sources. The latest arrangements in this latter connection were the subject of a reply which I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for South Molton (Mr. Lambert) on 25th April. For their part, producers of pigs and bacon in Great Britain have submitted marketing schemes on the lines of those prepared by the Commission. Public inquiries into objections to these schemes have been held, and I am expecting shortly to receive the reports. Discussions between pig producers and bacon curers as to the terms and conditions of contracts for pigs have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion, and I understand that both sides are now considering methods of propaganda which will bring to general notice the agreement which has been reached and the action which all concerned must take to bring the complete plan into successful operation.
§ Mr. HANNONDoes my right hon. and gallant Friend realise the difficulty he has placed in the way of the development of the pig industry in this country in view of the Anglo-Danish Agreement?
§ Major ELLIOTI am very glad to have an opportunity of answering that 496 the Anglo-Danish Agreement specifically provides for the observance of the Lane Fox Scheme, and does not in any way conflict with the proper development of the pig industry in this country.