§ 31. Mr. TURTONasked the Minister of Agriculture what was the pig population 1389 of Yorkshire on 4th June, 1935; and how many bacon factories there are at present in Yorkshire?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)The number of pigs on agricultural holdings of over one acre in Yorkshire on 4th June, 1935, was approximately 422,000. I am informed by the Bacon Development Board that the number of premises in Yorkshire in which bacon curing is being carried on, excluding the premises of curers who are not registered under the Bacon Marketing Scheme, is 51.
§ 32. Mr. TURTONasked the Minister of Agriculture how many members of the Bacon Development Board own or control bacon factories; how many factories are owned or controlled by these members of the board; and how many of these factories have an average throughput of more than 1,000 pigs per week and less than 250 pigs per week, respectively?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe Bacon Development Board was set up in accordance with the recommendations of the Lane Fox Reorganisation Commission with equal representation of the Pigs Marketing Board and the Bacon Marketing Board and three members nominated by the Government, including the chairman, Lord Portal. None of the Government representatives own or control any bacon factories. As to the remaining members, I understand that none of the four Pigs Board representatives own or control any factories, while the four Bacon Board representatives naturally are associated with bacon factories, though clearly I could not give the detailed information asked for.
§ Mr. TURTONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider delegating the function of licensing to an impartial judicial tribunal instead of to a board a great part of whom have vested interests in the industry?
§ Mr. ELLIOTIf the hon. Member had done me the honour of listening to my reply, he would see that seven of the representatives, that is a clear majority, have no vested interests in the industry.
§ Mr. TURTONIs there any parallel for a licensing tribunal having four representatives out of eleven who are interested in the industry?
§ Mr. ELLIOTSurely three impartial members holding a balance between four members on either side is not unusual.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs it not the case that on all these marketing boards there is always a majority who have vested interests in the matter?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe hon. Member has not followed the discussion. We are talking of a Development Board not a Marketing Board.
§ 36. Mr. TURTONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that contracts for 30,000 pigs were obtained for the Sherburn factory on the assumption that a branch of the Sherburn factory would be permitted to open at Norton and that, by reason of the refusal of the Bacon Development Board to grant a licence to the proposed factory at Norton, it will not be possible to carry out these contracts; what is the present position of these contracts; and whether the producers will be at liberty to withdraw them?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am aware of the application for a new factory in Yorkshire, but I have no knowledge of the conditions assumed by the Sherburn factory when inviting contracts. I could not express any opinion as to the ability of the contracting parties to carry cut contracts. The present position of these contracts is, I understand, that they have been registered by the board. I regret that I am unable to give any opinion whether in the circumstances mentioned the pig producers may withdraw their contracts.
§ Mr. TURTONIs the Minister aware that the refusal of a licence to the Norton factory has caused grave concern among the pig producers of Yorkshire, and that it will mean the breakdown of the scheme unless something is done?
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs it not a fact that the Development Board's action is being influenced by the holding up of the Government's decision with regard to future policy in relation to imports; and can he not expedite that decision, so as to give the Development Board a chance to get on with their policy?
§ Mr. ELLIOTMy right hon. Friend knows that that in its turn is being 1391 delayed by the necessity for reaching agreement with foreign countries and I am sure he would not wish me to override the rights of foreign countries in this matter.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEDoes the Minister realise that this question is also of vital importance in North Lincolnshire?
§ Mr. TURTONOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of the position, I give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment Motion at the earliest opportunity.
§ 38. Mr. BATEYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the policy of the Government to encourage the starting of new industries in the distressed areas, he is aware that the Bacon Development Board is refusing to grant a licence for the erection of a bacon factory in Sunderland; and will he take the necessary steps to see that this new industry is not prevented from starting in county Durham?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe hon. Member will be aware that the Lane Fox Commission reported that there was an excess of bacon curing capacity in the United Kingdom and recommended the rationalisation of the industry through a Development Board. The Commission's recommendations were adopted by the Government; the Bacon Development Board was set up, with the approval of Parliament, with power to license premises for the production of bacon, and its investigations are now proceeding. Before refusing to grant an application for a licence, the board must give the applicant opportunity to make representations before them either orally or in writing; and an unsuccessful applicant has the right to appeal to arbitration. A safeguard for the public interest is also provided in the Committee of Investigation.
§ Mr. BATEYHas the Bacon Development Board power to set aside the policy of the Government which is to start new industries in the distressed areas?
§ Mr. ELLIOTNo, Sir; but it would be in accordance with the policy of the Government to ensure that such industries, if started, have a chance of succeeding.
§ Mr. BATEYAre we to understand from that answer that the policy of the Government is not to start new industries in the distressed areas?
§ Mr. ELLIOTNo, Sir; the hon. Member would be in error in making such a deduction from my reply.
§ Mr. BATEYI wish to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment Motion on Friday, if I do not get any satisfaction to-morrow on the consideration of the Amendments to the Pigs Marketing Scheme.