§ 26. Sir GIFFORD FOXasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now satisfied that a sufficient number of suitable pigs required for the bacon scheme will be forthcoming; and whether he is making any additional announcement on the subject?
§ The Minister of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)I have not yet been furnished with final figures of the pigs contracted to be delivered to curers during the current period, but I hope to be in a position to announce the figures in a few days.
§ 30. Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that, owing to the operation of the pig marketing scheme, many pig curers have been obliged to put their men on short time owing to the inability of the board to supply pigs; and if he will consider raising the restriction on foreign imports of pigs in order to increase employment among and supply bacon to people of this country?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAs regards the first part of the question, I do not think I can usefully add to what I said in the reply I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member on 8th March. I am satisfied that the confirmation of the contracts submitted for registration is being dealt with expeditiously by the Pigs Marketing Board. As regards the last part of the question, I think the hon. Member must be under some misapprehension. The importation of pigs into this country from foreign countries has been prohibited for many years under the Diseases of Animals Acts in view of the danger of introduction of foot-and-mouth disease. I could not entertain any proposal for the removal of these restrictions.