Mr. W.THORNEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that on the average the price of pork has materially receded in Smithfield Market from the figure to which it jumped on the imposition of the embargo on Dutch meat at. the end of last May; what was the number of breeding sows in Great Britain in June, 1925, and the number in 3026W June, 1926, or, failing the actual statistics, if there was a decline or increase in the 12 months; whether he can supply any statistics showing the price of store pigs before the embargo and since; and whether he will, in the Recess, meet the representatives of the Dutch Government and endeavour to come to an arrangement whereby the export of pork from Holland to the London market may be resumed?
Mr. GUINNESSThe average price of pork at Smithfield Market in the week ending 3rd August was slightly lower than in the week immediately following the imposition of the embargo on Continental meat. The number of pigs in the country on 4th June last will be available and published in a few days, and until then I am unable to reply to the second part of the question. As regards the third part of the question, the average price of all classes of store pigs in the week ending 28th July was 54s. 7d., as against 54s. ld. in the week ending 26th May. With regard to the last part, my Department is always ready to listen to representations from the Dutch Government, but I would point out that the number of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Holland has been on the increase since the beginning of the year, and there were no less than 3,600 outbreaks in that country during the month of June.