§ 72. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in respect of 1969–70, what estimate he has made of the quota of Danish bacon imports, ad valorem; how this compares with British bacon consumption, ad valorem, in the same year; and what measure of import saving and substitution is represented in 1969–70 by revised quotas, respectively, for Danish and British bacon.
§ Mr. John MackieThe supply of bacon to the United Kingdom market is governed by the new Understanding my right hon. Friend announced on 13th February under which the total quantity required each year and the expected level of home production will be determined with the difference being shared among the exporting countries. For 1969–70 the Danish allocation is 302,850 tons, compared with 300,460 tons in 1968–69, out of total market requirements of 639,000 tons, the comparable figure for 1968–69 being 632,500 tons. The expected level of United Kingdom production in 1969–70 is 233,600 tons compared with actual production in 1968–69 of about 219,000 tons.
All determinations and allocations under the Understanding are made in terms of quantity. The value of bacon varies from week to week and is not really predictable. However, the average value of Danish bacon imports in 1968–69 was about £317 per ton; and bacon production in the United Kingdom sold at a somewhat lower price at the first hand level.