HC Deb 14 February 1940 vol 357 cc756-8
48. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the proposed transfer of staff from the Pigs and Bacon Marketing Boards to the bacon and ham branch of the Ministry of Food, he can now state what it is proposed to do with the accumulated funds of the Pigs and Bacon Marketing Boards?

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

In accordance with Orders made by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Secretary of State for Scotland, under the Defence Regulations, 1939, the funds of the boards will be under the control of Emergency Committees appointed by the board.

Mr. De la Bère

Can we have some proper explanation as it seems to be rather free from clarity? What is to be the outcome of this? Is it going to be utilised for some purpose or is it to be sterilised?

Mr. Morrison

No, Sir. It is being looked after by an emergency committee in the interests of producers and distrbutors.

Mr. J. Morgan

With a view to finally dispersing, breaking up or restoring the organisation?

Mr. Morrison

If necessary and proper, restoring the organisation.

53. Colonel Burton

asked the Minister of Food the prices of pig feeding-stuffs for the months of July, August, September, October, November and December, 1939; and the price of pigs for the same periods?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

With the permission of my hon. and gallant Friend, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

The prices of pig feeding-stuffs for the months of July, August, September, October, November and December, 1939, and the price of pigs for the same periods.

Pigs Marketing Board Contract Prices—applicable to bacon pigs only.
— Feeding-stuffs. Standard pig price.
Cwt. Score.
s. d. s. d.
July, 1939 8 0 12 1
August, 1939 7 11 12 0
September 1st and 2nd, 1939. 7 10 11 11
War Period Prices—applicable to all pigs, whether for pork or bacon.
— Feeding-Stuffs (see notes below). Standard price, subject to specified deductions for heavy pigs,sows, boars and stags.
Score.
s. d.
From 3rd September, 1939. 13 0
From 13th October, 1939. 14 0
From 6th November, 1939 15 0
From 1st December *
* The Pigs (Provisional Prices) Order, 1939, was revoked as from the 1st December, 1939. The average contract price for first and second quality bacon pigs in England and Wales in December, 1939, was 17s. 7d. per score.

Feeding Stuffs.

(a) The Feeding Stuffs (Provisional Prices) Order, 1939, was made on 3rd September, 1939, requiring millers or merchants to charge not more than the highest price realised during the seven days prior to the date of the Order.

(b) The Feeding Stuffs (Maximum Prices) Order, 1939, was made on the 29th September, 1939, prescribing maximum prices for specified feeding-stuffs.