§ 47 and 48. Mr. LEONARDasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if his attention has been drawn to the relative importance of ham as against bacon in the Scottish provision trade; and will he give these commodities separate consideration in the course of the application of his power to restrict imports; and
(2) if he is aware of the developing shortage of supplies facing ham curers and the cooked-meat section of the provision trade in Scotland, making probable an increase in unemployment and in prices; and what steps he proposes to take to allow adequate supplies of fresh, frozen, or cured hams to reach these traders pending home pig producers being able to meet the demand?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware of the importance of ham in the Scottish provision trade, and careful consideration has been given to the matter. As regards supplies of frozen pork for curing in this country, arrangements are being made to assign to the United States of America a special allocation for this purpose based upon past trade. An allocation for the same purpose has already been made to Argentina.
§ Mr. LEONARDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in the arrangement to which he has referred, recognition has been given to the fact that during the War the apportionment was 8 per cent. ham and 15 per cent. bacon, and 560 will the arrangement that is made meet all the requirements of the Scottish provision trade as represented by chambers of commerce to his Department?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid that I cannot answer without notice the detailed question which has been put to me.