22. Major Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture how many pigs have been contracted for under group contracts for the current contract period, and from how many different groups?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Colonel Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith)The number of pigs contracted to be delivered under group contracts during the current contract year is 115,985, and the number of groups is 119.
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman recognise that that is wholly inadequate to meet the situation?
23. Major Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will bear in 1492 mind, when considering alterations in the present Pig Marketing Scheme, the importance of linking up the production of bacon pigs with the requirements of general farming in the interest both of economic production and the fertility of the soil?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithIf my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the draft amendments of the Pigs Marketing Scheme which have been submitted by the Pigs Marketing Board to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself, the position is that these amendments relate mainly to the domestic machinery of the Scheme and are not concerned with the system of pig supplies. Questions of a more general nature affecting the production of bacon pigs in relation to farming economy fall for consideration in connection with the inquiry by the Bacon Development Board to which I referred in a reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on 24th April. I am bringing my hon. and gallant Friend's question and this reply to the notice of the board.
§ Mr. AlexanderDoes not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman recognise that the Pigs Marketing Scheme has broken down almost completely and that it ought to be replaced by some other method altogether?
§ Mr. HannahDoes my right hon. and gallant Friend recognise that Bilston, too, is very much dissatisfied?