§ 52. Mr. J. Morganasked the Minister of Food what objections he has to the formation of pig clubs at the present time; and what facilities he can offer to existing pig clubs for that proportion of feeding-stuffs necessary to complete the ration where household waste forms the bulk of the feed?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe formation of pig clubs is to be encouraged and I am considering with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the steps that will be necessary to provide feeding-stuffs for the Pig Clubs that he hopes to see established in the near future under the auspices of the Small Pig Keepers' Council.
§ Mr. MorganIs it not a fact that a suggestion was put out that these clubs should not start until April because the Minister was not prepared to find the proportion of food necessary, and does it not seem false reasoning to deter local authorities who are finding 75 per cent. of the pig food while the Minister is finding 100 per cent. for farmers?
§ Mr. MorrisonIf any such suggestion was made it did not emanate from me. I have seen a statement in a newspaper, mentioning the hon. Member's name, that we were not assisting municipal authorities such as Tottenham. But in fact I have had a letter of thanks from the Borough Council of Tottenham for the assistance we have given in the matter of the supply of pig food.
§ Mr. MorganOn a point of Order. May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, how I am to protect myself when my name is specifically referred to in a Supplementary reply of the Minister? Have I any fight to make the position clear?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member can ask to be allowed to make a personal statement.