HC Deb 15 February 1967 vol 741 cc612-3
30. Mr. Body

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the size of the national pig herd is increasing.

Mr. Hoy

Between September and December the pig breeding herd in the United Kingdom fell by about 2,000, but the seasonal decline is normally greater. The January pig sample, for England and Wales only, showed an increase of 2,000 on the December figure.

Mr. Body

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that there will be a need for a further 12 million pigs in the country soon? Will he do anything to contain that figure once it is reached, instead of letting it fall again?

Mr. Hoy

My right hon. Friend made a statement earlier about certain proposals with regard to the pig industry. The question of what will take place at the Annual Review is something that I dare not anticipate.

Mr. Peter Mills

Will the Minister bear in mind that what needs to be spelled out very clearly for the pig industry is confidence? Will the Minister show this confidence clearly at the Price Review, otherwise we shall see more and more of our industry being surrendered to the Danes?

Mr. Hoy

I agree that it is always better to have confidence, and I was grateful to the hon. Gentleman when, in the course of the Bill upstairs, he said that he thought there might be faults on both sides and not just on the Government side.