§ 71. Mr. TINKERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Northern Council of the Grocers' Association, stating that the present position of limiting supplies of bacon is unsatisfactory and demanding the abolition of the quota system, and asking that in place of it there should be a 10s. tax per cwt. with freedom of imports; and what action he intends to take in the matter?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. S. Morrison)I have seen the Resolution to which the hon. Member refers. The Government announced in June, 1935, that they were prepared to contemplate an increase in imports of bacon subject to the imposition of a limited charge, and it is still their intention to develop policy along those lines as soon as Treaty obligations permit. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the notice issued to the Press following a representative deputation from the bacon trade which was received by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and myself on Tuesday last.
§ Mr. BANFIELDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that poor people getting less than 12 per week find it impossible to pay 1s. 2d. and 1s. 3d. a lb. for bacon?
§ Mr. MORRISONI am certainly not aware of that. The price of bacon at the moment is lower than it was when hon. Members opposite were in office.