§ Mr. Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent overseas supplies increased their penetration of the United Kingdom bacon market during 1978; whether that increase has continued during the current year; if so, to what extent; and what measures he proposes to reverse this trend and increase United Kingdom bacon production.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithIn 1978 imported supplies of bacon accounted for 59 per cent. of the United Kingdom bacon market compared with 57 per cent. in 1977. In the first quarter of this year, the latest period for which official import statistics are available, the share of the market taken by imports was 58 per cent. The 5 per cent. devaluation of the green pound732W which my right hon. Friend was able to secure will assist our pigmeat producers and processors in competing with imports and we shall continue to do everything possible to give our producers and processors equal opportunity with our competitors.