§ 29. Mr. T. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture how many home-produced pigs were despatched to bacon factories during the years 1937 and 1938; and the numbers contracted for or estimated for the present year?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithDuring 1937 and the first eleven months of 1938 a contract system was not in operation, and the Pigs Marketing Board is unable to supply any precise information as to the numbers of pigs purchased by curers in those periods. The number of pigs contracted to be delivered to curers under long contracts for the first contract period, which runs from December, 1938, to November, 1939, is 1,479,226.
§ Mr. WilliamsIn view of the rapid decline in the number of pigs available for either pork or bacon, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell the House what the Government's policy is—if any—to increase the number of pigs?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe hon. Member may have seen that we have asked Lord Portal to conduct certain inquiries into the whole scheme. Until I get his report I cannot give an answer.
§ Mr. J. MorganIs there any evidence that deliveries are falling behind for the coming year?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThat is another question.