§ Sir W. Smilesasked the Minister of Food why he does not allow farmers and agricultural workers to keep one pig only without a licence and without restrictions as to how the pork and bacon produced is disposed of; and if he will now do so.
§ Mr. StracheyAne one can keep a pig, subject to local by-laws, but no one can110W have a pig killed for home consumption without a licence. I know of no convenient means other than the licensing system to keep a check on private slaughter. Self-suppliers may use the pork or bacon from their pigs in their own households or give it away. I could not allow sale or barter of the produce of any pig killed under licence while meat and bacon still have to be rationed.
§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Food what proportion of the pork or bacon ration is found by pigs raised in the United Kingdom; and whether it is intended to increase the prices per score to home producers of pigs, and raise the weight scale to qualify for maximum payments per score.
§ Mr. StracheyAt present about one half the bacon ration and an insignificant part of the meat ration is provided by pigs raised in the United Kingdom. Increased prices for home produced pigs, and a flat rate price per pig for those over 11 score dead weight were announced on 17th March.