HC Deb 18 March 1946 vol 420 cc1527-8
62. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister ofAgriculture if, in allocating the additional price fixed for fat pigs from 1st July onwards, he will give special consideration to lightweight porkers marketed in the period July-September, so as to alleviate in part the losses falling on farmers who started to breed more pigs on the assurance of increased feeding stuff rations.

Mr. T. Williams

Discussion will shortly be held with the Farmers' Unions on the detailed price adjustments necessary to effect the average increase in prices of fat pigs that was recently announced, and the point to which my hon. Friend refers will not be overlooked.

Mr. Hurd

Will the Minister be able to give some guidance by April, because a great number of pigs will be born in April, and farmers will have to decide whether to knock them on the head at birth, or keep them?

Mr. Williams

I have said that this matter will be under consideration from an early date.