§ Mr. L. Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance he proposes to give the board that will operate the pig progeny testing stations to meet any deficit that may be incurred in the running of the scheme.
Mr. AmoryIt is proposed that an undertaking should be given to make a contribution from public funds of 70 per cent. of the loss incurred in any of the first three years subject to a maximum contribution of £21,000 in any one year. The Bacon Marketing Board and the National Pig Breeders' Association Progeny Testing Research Company Limited, have agreed to make voluntary annual contributions of a maximum of £6,000 and £3,000 respectively during the same period to meet the balance of the estimated maximum deficit of £30,000 per annum. Substantive provision will be made in my202W Department's Estimate when necessary but token provision of £10 has meanwhile been made under Subhead D8 of my Department's Estimate for the Agricultural and Food Services Vote for 1956–57 to secure formal Parliamentary authority for this service.