HC Deb 16 November 1936 vol 317 cc1314-5
21. Mr. JOHN

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Bacon Marketing Board has determined that the bacon sales quota for the Hutchings Bacon Curing Company, Pentre, Rhondda, has been fixed at 1,572 cwts. for the year 1937; that this quota will permit the factory to work only to the extent of about 25 per cent. of this year's output; and whether, in view of this factory having developed in response to the national appeal to promote new industries in the derelict areas and being situated in one of the most distressed areas in the country, he will take steps to see that the quota shall be fixed on the number of pigs contracted from South Wales producers for 1936?

Mr. W. S. MORRISON

I am aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers. The Bacon Marketing Scheme provides that any curer who may be aggrieved by any act or omission of the Board, may refer the matter to the arbitration of a single arbitrator, to be agreed upon between him and the Board, or, in default of agreement, to be nominated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself.

Mr. JOHN

Is the right. hon. Gentleman aware that this is a new factory in a distressed area; that this year it will deal with 6,000 pigs, and has sufficient orders for next year to deal with 6,000 pigs again; that in the event of this quota being carried out 40 men will have to be dismissed, and that this is an attempt to introduce a., new industry into a one-industry area; and cannot the right hon. Gentleman ascertain whether the quota for this year could not be continued for that purpose?

Mr. MORRISON

The Scheme lays down certain procedure to be followed in the event of a dispute between a curer and the Board, and, as that is the action of this House, I am bound to follow it.

Mr. JOHN

Is it not the policy of this House to do everything possible for the distressed areas; and is it in accordance with the policy of this House that 40 men should be dismissed in a distresed area?

Mr. MORRISON

I am aware of the relevant facts of this case. If the hon. Member has any further particulars about it and would care to communicate with me, I will see if there is anything I can do, but at present disputes between curers and the Board are regulated by Statute, outside which I have no power to go.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Since this House has given power to the Pigs and Bacon Marketing Board, and since, as the result of the application of the power given to the Minister himself, consumers in this country are paying millions of pounds per annum more for bacon than hitherto, will not the right hon. Gentleman undertake to use his influence in the direction indicated in the question?

Mr. MORRISON

With regard to that point I think the hon. Member is misinformed; the price of bacon to-day is lower than it was in 1930—[HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]—and the production of British bacon since that time has doubled.

Mr. THORNE

Why do you not send your wife to make inquiries at the shops? Then you would find out.