§ 30. Mr. G. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the high price at which the 100 Landrace pigs recently imported into this country were sold to breeders; and whether, in view of the fact that these prices have made it impossible for small breeders to purchase these pigs, and of the need for improving the standard of bacon pigs in this country, he will now allow the import of Landrace pigs without undue restriction.
§ Mr. NugentI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Major Anstruther-Gray) on 12th November.
§ Mr. WilliamsAs I have not seen that reply, for which I apologise, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that if we were to spend more money on these Landrace pigs it would be an economic proposition? We want better bacon, but for some reason my hon. Friend's Department is restricting their importation, which seems to be a short sighted policy.
§ Mr. GrimondAs the encouragement of these pigs, at least in Scotland, is very desirable indeed, cannot we have an assurance that t0he Minister of Agriculture will allow their importation, and, indeed, encourage it with all the means in his power?
§ Mr. NugentMy right hon. Friend considers that the size of the recent importation is sufficient to show what this breed of pigs can do to help improve our pig-breeding.
§ Sir R. BoothbyIs it not a fact that we have pressed for the importation of these Landrace pigs in much larger quantities because we believe them to be the best bacon pigs, and that my hon. Friend's Department has been deliberately obstructive in the matter and has prevented their import into Scotland? Why should the Department not let us have control over our own imports?