§ 22. Sir R. Boothbyasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to take steps to prevent the transfer into England of the Landrace pigs which are now to be permitted to be imported from Sweden into Scotland; and what machinery it is intended to utilise for that purpose.
§ Sir T. DugdaleOnly genuine breeders in Scotland who require the pigs for their own use will be allowed to participate in the limited import of Swedish Land-race pigs into Scotland. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is considering what undertakings as regards resale might be required from breeders who are permitted to import these pigs.
§ Sir R. BoothbyDoes it not mean that the wretched English are not to be allowed to have any Landrace pigs, while the Scots will be able to get them? Why this discrimination?
§ Sir T. DugdaleThis present lot brings Scotland up to where England was.
§ Mr. ManuelWill not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the rather harsh answer which he has given to his hon. Friend the Member for East Aberdeen-shire (Sir R. Boothby)? As the hon. Member lives solely on herrings, will not the Minister's decision deprive him of the opportunity of a good bit of pork?
§ Mr. de FreitasHas not the Minister made a hopeless muddle of this matter of Landrace pig imports? Has he not succeeded in displeasing the small farmer, the large farmer, the pedigree breeder, the non-pedigree breeder and every other owner of pigs?
§ Sir T. DugdaleI do not accept that. The advice which is given to me is completely the reverse. The whole subject is very complicated and I am looking into it carefully.
§ Mr. DonnellyIs it not quite clear that this is an English and Scottish matter? Are we in Wales to assume from this that there are enough pigs in England and Scotland already?
§ 29. Major Anstruther-Grayasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now state the figure to which he proposes to restrict the importation of Landrace pigs into the United Kingdom; and whether this figure will allow all outstanding applications to be granted, subject to proper veterinary precautions.
§ Sir T. DugdaleNo, Sir. Any figure would bound to be misleading. As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for East Aberdeenshire (Sir R. Boothby) on 18th February, I am keeping under review the whole question of future imports of Landrace pigs.
§ Major Anstruther-GrayWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the quota to be admitted just now falls short of the number of applications, and that there have already been 100 applications from Scotland alone? Will he bear in mind also that the policy of restricting the imports of Landrace pigs is merely pushing up the price unnecessarily and depriving British farmers of the type of pig which they know will produce the best bacon?
§ Sir T. DugdaleThere are many opinions on this matter, but I cannot go 555 further today in answer to the Question than to say that I have the matter very much in mind.
§ Mr. GrimondWhat exactly are the dangers to animals which will prevent the import of these much wanted pigs?