§ 6. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the steps he proposes to take to ensure that bacon factories have the necessary pigs to maintain the quota of the Bacon Agreement.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Fred Peart)The supply of pigs is a matter for the Annual Review and I am unable to make any statement bearing on this at the present time.
§ Mr. MillsWill the Minister now state the real reason why we failed to take up our quota? Will he not agree with me that this is entirely due to the unrealistic price that farmers are getting for their bacon pigs? Will he, in the coming Annual Review, look into the whole matter of pigs, bacon and pork production?
§ Mr. PeartAs the hon. Gentleman knows, this is a matter for the Annual Review and I shall be having discussions.
§ Mr. SoamesApart from the Annual Review, the right hon. Gentleman recently had some talks with other parties to the Bacon Agreement. I should like to know whether, in those talks, he pressed for an increase in the British quota within the Bacon Agreement and, if so, for what sort of increase did he press?
§ Mr. PeartThis is quite separate from the main Question. Naturally, I have always tried to safeguard the interests of our home producers. Indeed, I shall be having further talks with them.
§ Mr. SoamesI am sorry, but, with great respect, this is very much to do with the Question—the necessity to maintain the quota of the Bacon Agreement. The right hon. Gentleman has had these talks, about which we have heard very little, with other parties to the Agreement. Did he press for an increased quota for the coming year?
§ Mr. PeartI made an announcement about this, and I am certain that the arrangement that has been made is satisfactory. I am anxious that we shall be able to have a fulfilment of the spirit of the Agreement. I can say no more than that.