§ 19. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial effect he estimates the 10 per cent, import duty on Danish bacon will have on the amount of the subsidy for home pig production.
Mr. AmoryThe amount of the pig subsidy will depend upon the difference between the guaranteed price and market prices which are determined by a number of factors, and it is impossible to isolate the effect of the duty.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs it not clear that the Government will get a double rake-off—£4 million or £5 million by way of import duty to make up for the profits they have been earning on Danish bacon imports up to now, and an equivalent amount in cutting the home-bacon subsidy to preserve the existing pattern, which is what the Government have promised to do under the agreement? Is not this in the nature of sharp practice on the part of the Government at the expense of the consumer?
Mr. AmoryNo, I cannot agree with the hon. and gallant Gentleman in either part of his Question. The results are nothing like as simple as that. There is no question of a double rake-off, not even a certainty of one rake-off. As to the other part of his Question, I have said already that there is no reason to assume that there will necessarily be any additional burden on the consumers.
Air Commodore HarveyWill my right hon. Friend say when the report on the marketing of home-produced pigs will be available?
Mr. AmoryThat is rather a different Question, but I said recently that I would not expect it for two or three months from the present time.