§ 2. Mr. William A. Stewardasked the Minister of Food if he will consider shortening the period of notice required of pig producers desiring to sell their pigs to his Department.
§ The Minister of Food (Major Lloyd George)There is so much to be done between the date of notice and the reception of the pig that it would be very difficult to reduce the period.
§ 13. Mr. Gerald Nabarroasked the Minister of Food the reasons for the continued retention of restrictions upon the owner-rearing and subsequent owner-consumption of pigs reared on the owner's premises and fed with the owner's swill.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeRegulations are necessary to maintain the general rule that all pigs must be slaughtered for the ration. The working of the arrangements is always carefully watched and will be reviewed again this spring.
§ Mr. NabarroBut does my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that there is a close association between the identity card and the Regulations governing the slaughter of a pig, in that both of them are an infringement of the rights and liberties of the subject? Why should not any householder who wants to raise a pig, feed a pig, kill a pig, and eat a pig not do so without Ministerial dispensation?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThere is one important point which arises out of that. Much as we all desire what my hon. Friend wants, the fact is that there is not sufficient feeding stuffs at present to ensure that this could be done without certain restrictions.
§ Mr. NabarroMy Question asks why the owner should not feed a pig with his own swill.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeIt would not be a very good pig if it was fed on swill alone.
§ Dr. Barnett StrossDoes not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that in all these cases it is desirable that the local authorities should be able to inspect the pigs when slaughtered, whether they are privately owned or not, in view of the fact that the owner who has fed and reared the pig does not know if it is diseased when he kills it?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThey are, in fact, expected to do so.