§ Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what adjustment he proposes to make to the working of the bacon curing industry stabilisation arrangements.
§ Mr. Prior:The Government have reviewed the arrangements which I announced to the House on 20th April last in the light of the market situation and of representations by the curing industry that the rate of stabilisation payments should be increased to reflect increases in the cost of curing and the higher proportions of first quality bacon pigs and bacon now being produced. The Government have concluded that in the present situation changes involving a net increase in public expenditure could not be defended and that the pressure which the present arrangements puts on curers to pay closer attention to market conditions must be maintained. There has been evidence recently that this pressure is having effect, and my right hon. Friends and I do not think precipitate action is required at this stage. We have decided, therefore, that the method of calculating stabilisation payments introduced last April shall continue unchanged for a further three months, after which we shall review the position again in the light of the evidence then available.—[Vol. 815, c. 924–6.]