§ 37. Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that many pig curers at the present time are unable to obtain any pigs for the purpose of carrying out their contracts as a consequence of the marketing scheme; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe last contract period expired on 28th February, and it was found necessary owing to the new principles embodied in the contracts for the current period to extend the closing date for the registration of these contracts to 12th March. The Pigs Marketing Board are taking all possible steps to overcome any difficulty which may have arisen owing to this extension and to ensure that curers receive immediate supplies of pigs under the new contracts.
§ Mr. MANDERCan the right hon. Gentleman say why it is that pig curers to-day, this week, and next week, cannot get any pigs at all?
§ Sir JOSEPH LAMBIs it not a fact that a certain clause in the contract is causing a great deal of delay in contracts being made?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThat scarcely arises out of the question on the Paper, but I can assure the hon. Member for Wolverhampton East (Mr. Mander) that the Pig Board is taking all steps to secure a supply of pigs for the curers.
§ Mr. MANDERIs it not notorious that this Socialist scheme has broken down altogether?
§ 35. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Minister of Agriculture the approximate difference between the maximum number 2005 of pigs which could be used for bacon purposes by existing British bacon factories during the past year and the number of pigs which were actually available for such purpose; and how such maximum capacity of existing British bacon factories compares with the present average annual consumption by the British public of bacon?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe maximum capacity of the bacon factories in Great Britain is estimated at between 3,500,000 and 4,000,000 pigs per annum. I have no information as to the number of pigs which were actually available at the factories for curing during 1933, but the number of pigs which registered pig producers contracted to supply during the four months November, 1933, to February, 1934, was approximately 588,000. The capacity of the factories in 1933 was about 40 per cent. of the present average annual consumption of bacon in Great Britain.
§ Mr. L. SMITHIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a shortage of bacon factories in the country, and will he give this matter consideration?
§ Mr. ELLIOTIt is essential first to get full supplies for the factories that are operating.
§ Mr. de ROTHSCHILDIs the right hon. Gentleman still complaining of his likeness to the Pied Piper of Hamelin?