§ 15. Sir John Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the level of pigmeat production in Scotland in 1977.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownI regret that no estimate of Scottish pigmeat production is available for the calendar year. The production of pigmeat in Scotland for the year to May 1977 is estimated to be 62,700 tonnes, representing an increase of 5,100 tonnes over actual production in the year to May 1976.
§ Sir John GilmourIs the hon. Gentleman confident that the announcement made by the Minister of Agriculture on Thursday last week, of a 50p per score subsidy, will increase pig production and so save imports of pigmeat from EEC countries?
§ Mr. BrownI am satisfied that it is enough to bring efficient producers back into reasonable profit, and, therefore, on the assumption that there will be a continuing expansion in production, yes, I think that it will.
§ Mr. WelshDoes the Minister realise that "go nowhere" and "do nothing" replies this afternoon are worthy only of a resignation? As for increasing pig production, what specific steps is he taking to implement the findings of the Strutt Committee?
§ Mr. BrownThe power struggle in the SNP must be becoming very acute. The hon. Member may know something about raspberry growing, although I doubt it, but can I tell him that the subsidy that we announced last week is worth £3.50 per pig and is of considerable benefit to United Kingdom pig producers.