HC Deb 09 July 1953 vol 517 cc1463-5
15. Mr. G. Brown

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will arrange for adequate representation of the British Landrace Pig Society on the purchasing commission which is to carry out the import of Landrace pigs from Sweden.

Sir T. Dugdale

The purchasing commission appointed by the National Pig Breeders' Association includes a representative nominated by the Council of the British Landrace Society.

Mr. Brown

Does the Minister not think it rather queer that the National Pig Breeders' Association, which has been opposing this importation all along, and did so even in its statement accepting the consignment, should be used to do it? Secondly, was not the British Landrace Pig Society asked not to appoint a member of the purchasing commission but to arrange for some one to go along in an advisory capacity?

Sir T. Dugdale

I think the Landrace Society have got the position wrong. As I have stated in my answer, the position is that their representative is a member of the purchasing commission, together with three other members from N.P.B.A. In regard to the first part of the supplementary question, there is bound to be difficulty in dealing with this problem, but by and large I consider that the National Pig Breeders' Association are responsible, in the main, for the breeding of pigs in this country. At the end of the day—although I expect criticism from all quarters whatever method is adopted—this is the best way to get the best results in the interests of pig breeders as a whole.

Brigadier Prior-Palmer

Can my right hon. Friend explain how these pigs are to be sold, and to whom, when they have been imported?

Sir T. Dugdale

That is another question, but I will say at once they are to be sold by public auction under the auspices of the National Pig Breeders' Association.

Mr. Brown

In view of the clear difference between the views of the Landrace Society and of the Minister, would he be willing to see the various parties before importation and so perhaps remove the difficulties before rather than afterwards?

Sir T. Dugdale

Yes, Sir, I am prepared to see any body at any time, but the commission leaves this country today to go to Sweden to go into the whole question.

Sir R. Boothby

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that some of these pigs come to Aberdeen, and does he not think it a very good thing that they are being imported into this country?

Sir T. Dugdale

That is a different question.

26. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is satisfied that the Danish Landrace pig which is to be imported under licence, produces better bacon than any of the English breeds.

Sir T. Dugdale

No, Sir. But I think it right to permit a limited importation, which will be of Swedish Landrace pigs, so that the merits of this breed as regards quality and cost of production can be tested under our conditions.

Mr. Crouch

Is my hon. Friend not aware that British agriculture has been recognised as the stud farm of the world? Surely he is not suggesting that our breeds of pigs are inferior to those in Scandinavia.

Sir R. Boothby

Certainly he is.

Sir T. Dugdale

I said at the beginning, "No, Sir." This breed of pigs must have a fair chance of developing.