HC Deb 10 February 1947 vol 433 cc18-9
38. Mr..J.H. Hare

asked the Minister of Food how many pigs were delivered to bacon factories during the months of November and December; and how many were slaughtered by self-suppliers under licence during these two months.

Mr. Strachey

59,844 were delivered to home bacon factories in November, and 62,311 in December, 1946. Licensed slaughterings by self-suppliers in the two months were 93,063 and 115,521, respectively.

Mr. Hare

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there should be more pigs slaughtered by self-suppliers than are available in bacon factories for the general ration, and is he aware that the figure of pigs slaughtered by self-suppliers has risen from 6,000 in September to 93,000, which is the figure he has just given me?

Mr. Strachey

It is very doubtful from the enforcement and other points of view whether we could obtain those supplies for the bacon ration if we attempted to suppress the allowance of pigs to self-suppliers which is given today, but I will consider the question whether they ought to make a larger contribution to the bacon ration by forfeiting more of their bacon ration for each pig they slaughter.

Sir T. Moore

Is the Minister satisfied that pigs which are slaughtered by self-suppliers are slaughtered humanely?

Mr. Strachey

That is an entirely different question.

Mr. Martin Lindsay

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Can we have some more candles?

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

Be patriotic.

39. Mr. Hare

asked the Minister of Food how many pigs of average weight he does estimate would be required per month by British bacon factories to restore the recent cut of one ounce in the bacon ration.

Mr. Strachey

Taking the average weight of a bacon pig as I cwt., British bacon factories would require some 150,000 extra pigs every four weeks to provide another ounce of bacon for the ration.

Mr. Hare

In view of the answer to this and the previous Question, would the right hon. Gentleman satisfy himself that pigs which are slaughtered by self-suppliers are fattened by the self-suppliers and are not bought at the last moment on the open market in order to be killed some few days or weeks later?

Mr. Strachey

We take very careful steps by way of enforcement, and I do not think we can go further.