§ 19. Mr. MORGANasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of pigs handled by the Pigs Marketing Board, the amount of bacon produced from such pigs, and the average percentage produced from each pig?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)Apart from small pigs falling outside the scope of the bacon-pig contract, the number of home-produced pigs handled by curers registered under the Bacon Marketing Scheme during the year 1935 was about 1,968,000. The quantity of bacon produced from such pigs was approximately 1,970,000 cwt., an average of 1 cwt. of bacon per pig. Such information as is available indicates that this conversion factor represents about. 68.5 per cent. of the average dressed carcase weight of the pigs.
§ 21. Mr. R. C. MORRISONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any information regarding the decision of the Pigs Marketing Board to dispense with the services of the general manager; and whether it is proposed to fill the vacancy?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe matter is the domestic concern of the board, and I have no information other than that the board have decided not to renew the engagement of their general manager.
§ Mr. MORRISONIn view of the wide publicity that this matter has received 293 in the Press, would it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to make a somewhat fuller statement, so that we might know exactly the circumstances?
§ Mr. ELLIOTNo, Sir, it is not part of my duty or in the interests of the House that I should do so.