§ 44. Mr. Hannahasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that men are unemployed in bacon-curing factories at Bilston because the Pig Marketing Board cannot deliver the pigs; and what action does he propose to take?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am aware that some curers have complained that they are unable to obtain all the pigs they want, but I would point out that in view of the comparative shortage of pigs just now the curing industry cannot expect to be receiving as many pigs as in recent years when the pig population was larger. 1361 The distribution among curers of the available supply of pigs is a matter primarily for the Bacon Development Board. I have no power to intervene.
§ Mr. HannahIs the Minister aware that the curers of Bilston say that they could get all the pigs they want if they were allowed to buy them in the open market?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI have had this information.
§ 51. Mr. R. Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the information available to his Department gives any indication as to whether bacon factories in rural areas can, in general, operate with the same efficiency as those in consuming centres where ample labour, power, and distributive facilities are available?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI have no information which would suggest that bacon factories in rural areas operate more or less efficiently than those in consuming centres.
§ 52. Mr. R. Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the artificial protection which is given to inefficient bacon factories as a result of the present restrictions imposed on the imports of bacon into this country, he can state what success has been achieved up to date in working out a system of rationalisation designed to eliminate as far as possible the more inefficient of these factories, and to reduce the average cost of bacon production in this country?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI understand that a draft factory rationalisation scheme has been prepared and is at present under consideration by the Bacon Marketing Board.