§ 27. Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture what weight of bacon has been made in this country from imported frozen pig carcases; and whether such bacon on being offered for 826 sale is required to be marked so as to indicate the origin of the pigs from which it is made?
The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. S, Morrison)264,000 cwt. of bacon was produced from imported frozen pork in 1935 by curers in Great Britain registered under the Bacon Marketing Scheme. As regards the second part of the question, foodstuffs which have undergone a process of curing in the United Kingdom are expressly excluded from the operation of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs my right hon. Friend doing what he can to prevent this undesirable development of bacon manufacture in this country?
Mr. MORRISONI have only recently had my attention drawn to the matter, and should like to give it further consideration before replying. I would point out, however, for the information of the House, that the chief sources of supply of these frozen carcases are Australia and New Zealand.