§ 20. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Food the present weekly capacity of bacon factories in terms of the intake of pigs per week; and what was the average number of pigs per week offered to the bacon factories in the months of April, May and June this year.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeDuring April, May and June bacon factories have killed about 91,250 pigs per week and have used about 71,500 of these for bacon production. This is about the maximum weekly curing capacity at present for pigs slaughtered at the factory. In addition the factories can cure a quantity of imported frozen sides.
§ Mr. RentonDo not the facts which my right hon. and gallant Friend has just given clearly show that if there is to be that increase in pig production for which he hopes there should be at least another factory in the country to handle the increase, and would he say what steps he contemplates taking to encourage the building of such a factory?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeWe are taking every possible step under the limitations of capital expenditure, and, as my hon. Friend probably knows, we have decided on one at least, provided we can get the capital facilities.