HC Deb 10 December 1935 vol 307 cc741-3
67. Mr. TURTON

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the grave concern that is being occasioned to the Yorkshire pig producers by the delay of the Bacon Development Board in giving their decision upon the application of the Yorkshire Farmers' Bacon Factory (1932), Limited, to construct a new factory at Norton, and that a number of Yorkshire: pig producers have been prevented from accepting the 1936 contract through their uncertainty whether there would be adequate factory accommodation in Yorkshire; whether he will draw the attention of the Bacon Develop- ment Board to the inconvenience that is being caused by this delay; and whether he will take all the steps that lie in his power to secure that there shall be factories of an adequate number and size in Yorkshire to take the Yorkshire pigs?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Ramsbotham)

I am informed by the Bacon Development Board that in the light of certain present conditions the Board have come to the conclusion that it would be undesirable-to grant licences for new factories to come into operation in 1936. They intend, however, at the earliest possible date after March, 1936, to consider the desirability to granting licences for 1937 to the following classes of applicants:—

  1. (a) those who propose to transfer factory accommodation from foreign countries to the United Kingdom, especially where they are in a position to sell the bacon which they produce direct to the consumer;
  2. (b) those who can satisfy the Bacon Development Board that ample supplies of pigs can be obtained within a reasonable distance to support the proposed factory without substantially reducing the quantity of pigs handled by existing curers.

Mr. TURTON

Is the hon. Member aware that as a result of this decision contracts for over 20,000 pigs in Yorkshire will have to be refused in the next contract period, and that the whole of the pig marketing scheme will break down in Yorkshire if it is allowed to continue? Will he represent to the Bacon Board the extreme gravity of the situation?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

The hon. Member will realise that there is a certain shortage of supply, and that this is hardly the moment to extend factory accommodation to other parts of the country.

Mr. TURTON

But is it not most cruel and uneconomic to send pigs over 100 miles from a farm?

Mr. PETHERICK

Is the hon. Member also aware that this applies to other counties besides Yorkshire?

Sir J. NALL

May I ask whether priority will be given for new licences to new premises which replace old ones. There are cases where persons are not allowed to transfer to another factory.