§ 32. Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has considered the effect of the pig premium 28 upon the price of pigmeat; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangThe special pig subsidy should mean that next year the price of pigmeat is not quite as high as it would have been had producers not received this substantial assistance.
§ Mr. HardyDoes my hon. Friend agree that he and his right hon. Friend may be disappointed by the lack of effect of the premium on the pig market since March? Does he attribute this disappointment to the fact that only a minority of pigs are sold in markets yet they seem to determine the price of the majority? Does not that suggest that there ought to be a careful review of the whole system of meat marketing in this country?
§ Mr. StrangMy hon. Friend has made a very useful suggestion, but the premium has certainly improved confidence. It is reflected in the fact that the levels of sow and boar slaughterings are now below what they were a year ago.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsIf the hon. Gentleman is so sure that this has restored confidence, can he give the House an estimate of the existing number of sows and gilts in the national pig herd at present, and give a forecast of slaughterings for the next three months?
§ Mr. StrangI would need advance notice of that question, but I think the hon. Gentleman will agree that the signs are that the position is improving.