§ 33. Sir GIFFORD FOXasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now able to announce the number of suitable pigs contracted to be delivered to curers during the current period; and whether these figures will enable him still further to restrict the quota of imported bacon?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe number of pigs contracted to be sold to curers during the period 1st March to 31st December, 1934, is 1,317,259; to this must be added a further quantity of 63,288 pigs produced by curers, making a total of 1,380,547 pigs. On the whole I regard this as a satisfactory result. The question of imports of bacon from foreign countries is receiving consideration in the light of the information with regard to home supplies now available.
§ Mr. WILMOTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to direct his policy towards a reduction in the very high retail prices of bacon?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI do not think that arises out of the question, and my hon. Friend might perhaps consider other points in connection with that before asking his supplementary question.