Bacon

HC Deb 29 June 1959 vol 608 cc13-5W

93. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that according to the May sample census the sow population of England and Wales has fallen to 565,000, as against 713,000 a year ago, and that if the pig population continues to fall at the present rate there will soon be few pigs left for processing by British bacon factories, which are already operating at less than 50 per cent. capacity; and if he will make a statement as to the policy of the Government with regard to pig production for the next few years.

Mr. Godber

My right hon. Friend is aware of the reduction in the breeding herd from last year's high level and this will naturally mean that the number of pigs available for slaughter later in the year will be less than in the second half of 1958. But as my right hon. Friend said in reply to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 25th June, current bacon production is higher than in the corresponding periods in the two preceding years, and I could not accept the implications in my hon. Friend's Question. My right hon. Friend has, however, received representations from the industry which he is considering carefully and proposes to discuss with them.

94. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the inadequacy of the present 10 per cent. duty applied to some of our bacon imports, and the absence of any quota restrictions, may have an undesirable effect upon the British bacon producing industry; and whether he will consider taking remedial action at an early date.

Mr. Godber

My right hon. Friend has received representations to this effect from the bacon curing industry which he proposes to discuss with their representatives. But I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the curing industry benefits indirectly from the Government's guarantees to pig producers and now supplies 40 per cent. of our requirements, as compared with 30 per cent. before the war.

95. Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if any trade concessions were made with regard to bacon imports when discussions took place with the Danish Ministers in London recently; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Godber

I regret I cannot add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 25th June.

96. Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has considered the representations made to him by the bacon industry in February, 1958, and February, 1959; and what reply he made to these representations.

Mr. Godber

Yes. The representations were fully considered and the Government's views on those made in 1958 were given in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. du Cann) on 27th February of that year.

So far as representations made earlier this year are concerned, my right hon. Friend saw representatives of the industry in March and explained to them that the Government felt there was no case for any radical modification of policy.