§ 31. Mr. Perkinsasked the Minister of Food whether he will consider reducing the period necessary to keep a pig before killing from four months to three months.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI shall be reviewing these arrangements in the spring and will keep this possibility in mind then.
§ Mr. PerkinsIs the Minister aware that the older the pig the fatter the pig and if he would have leaner pigs he would have better bacon, which would be a source of great satisfaction to all those who have middle-age spread?
§ 34. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Food if, in view of the continuing increase in pig numbers, he will review the need for retaining the registration and licensing procedure when a pig is kept for home consumption.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeSo long as supply considerations make it necessary that livestock for slaughter should be sold to my Department for the ration, killing for home consumption must be controlled by licence. A period of registration is required to prevent the buying of pigs for immediate slaughter.
§ Mr. HurdAs the number of pigs continues to increase will the Minister keep a very open mind on this question, because if he can solve this problem more pig meat will be produced?
§ Mr. RoyleWill the Minister resist this agitation until such time as there is enough meat available without rationing?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeWhat the hon. Gentleman says is quite right. This is essential in order to maintain the ration. That is why I say I am prepared to look at this matter whenever I can.
§ Mr. BaldwinIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that if he can decontrol the rationing of feedingstuffs he will do away with the necessity of having any licensing?