§ 113. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Food why, in view of the substantial production of home-produced pigs, he has recently arranged to purchase pig carcases from Eire at guaranteed prices and to dispose of this pig meat at prices in some instances as low as 1s. a pound; to what extent this transaction involves financial loss; and what consultations he had with the producers of home-grown pigs before making the contract in question.
Mr. AmoryThis pork is imported under the five-year bulk purchase agreement made with the Republic of Ireland on 1st May, 1951, whereby the Ministry of Food undertake to buy at agreed prices not less than 90 per cent. of the Republic's exportable surplus of pigmeat in the form of pigs, bacon or pork. The prices realised have ranged between 1s. 5d. and 1s. 10d. per lb. according to carcase weight, and exceptionally as low as 1s. and as high as 2s. The financial outcome of these transactions cannot yet be assessed.
The last part of the Question does not arise as the agreement was made by the previous Government.