§ 27. Miss Joan Hallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the housewife will benefit by a reduction in the price of bacon following the fall in the wholesale value.
§ Mr. PriorThe relationship between retail and wholesale prices for bacon is complex but some decreases in retail prices of certain cuts of bacon have already been noted.
§ 44. Mr. Brewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the United Kingdom market for bacon he intends should be supplied from British sources.
§ Mr. PriorI want the United Kingdom bacon industry to supply as large a proportion of our market as it can competitively at reasonable prices and with due regard to our international obligations and the need to reduce the charge on public funds.
§ 45. Sir R. Turtonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of the bacon industry.
§ Mr. PriorDiscussions are taking place today with representatives of overseas countries about bacon supplies for 1972–73 under the Bacon Market Sharing Understanding. I will make a statement on the outcome as soon as possible. On the subject of domestic support to the bacon curing industry, I have nothing to add to my reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Arundel and Shoreham (Mr. Luce) on 21st January.—[Vol. 829, c.269–70.]