§ 73. Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that pig clubs which receive licences to build styes for additional pigs are informed that these must be demolished within six months after the end of the war emergency; and, as this condition will deter the production of additional meat, whether he will extend the period.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe position is governed by Defence Regulation 62 (B) which suspends any powers which local authorities may have to prohibit the erecttion of pig styes within their area. The Supplies and Services (Transitional Powers) Bill now before Parliament makes provision for the extension by Order in Council of the life of that Regulation up to five years from the date of expiry of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Acts. The question of demolition of styes is not, therefore, likely to arise for some considerable time.
§ Mr. KeelingCould the Minister explain why a constituent of mine was told that he would have to pull his pig sty down six months after the end of the emergency period?
§ Mr. WilliamsProbably because the authority referred to were not aware of the new Supplies and Services (Transitional Powers) Bill.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs it not more important to produce the maximum amount of food than to stick to bureaucratic red tape regulations of local authorities?
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenMay it not be that many of these pig styes are erected on land which is badly needed for other purposes, that it is not a matter of getting rid of a pig sty but of getting the land back?