HC Deb 13 December 1948 vol 459 cc810-2
8. Sir Ronald Ross

asked the Minister of Food whether the bacon contract for 1949 with the Canadian authorities has now been completed; and what led to delay in this matter.

Mr. Strachey

There has been no delay in these negotiations, which, as the hon. Member will be aware from a recent announcement. have now been concluded.

Sir R. Ross

If it had been concluded some time ago, would not a lot more bacon have been available to this country?

Mr. Strachey

No, Sir.

Sir R. Ross

Why not?

22. Mr. Piratin

asked the Minister of Food why deliveries of bacon from Canada will fall short of the agreed quantities; what were the agreed quantities; and what is the expected deficiency.

Mr. Strachey

Owing to a decline in pig production and an increase in consumption of pig meat and pig products in Canada, we do not expect to receive from that country more than 81,000 tons of bacon produced in 1948 against the 100,000 tons we agreed to buy.

Mr. Piratin

I was waiting for the right hon. Gentleman to give the answer to the further part of the Question. Will he answer it? What is the expected deficiency at the end of the year?

Mr. Strachey

The difference between 81,000 tons and 100,000 tons.

Mr. Piratin

I can calculate that for myself; but in view of the fact that there are three weeks left before the end of the year, I should like, before I ask my supplementary question, to know what the deficiency is to be.

Mr. Strachey

That is the estimated deficiency at the end of the year.

Mr. Piratin

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the prospects in regard to the agreement which he is making with Canada for supplies in the coming year, and that he will get the supplies according to the stipulated scheme? What steps is he taking to get bacon from other countries, such as Poland?

Sir Waldron Smithers

Roubles or pounds?

:Mr. Strachey

In reply to the first part of the supplementary question, the contract has been made for 71,000 tons of. bacon from Canada, which, on the whole, the Canadian authorities believe they will have available. We are taking every step that we can to increase bacon supplies from other sources, including Poland, Denmark, Holland, and many other sources.

Mr. A. Edward Davies

Inasmuch as my right hon. Friend said last Wednesday that the cut in the ration was due to the delay in supplies from Canada, may we expect that when the supplies come, the arrears will be worked off, making good the ration that has been decreased in recent weeks? Cannot we get in a little more stock, in order to maintain the meagre ration we are supposed to get already?

Mr. Strachey

We can raise the ration when supplies increase. We cannot keep large stocks of bacon, because that is impracticable for technical reasons.

Mr. Snadden

Is not the solution to the problem an increase in the production of bacon in this country?

Mr. Strachey

That, I am glad to say, is taking place.