§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will withdraw the Order that has been issued compelling the owners of young pigs to sell by live weight in view of its injustice to them, as, seeing that these pigs only weigh from about 30 to 60 lbs., by withdrawing the Order the people would obtain more money for them?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe question of raising the limit of weight within which young pigs for store purposes may be sold free of the maximum price is being considered, and it is hoped to make an announcement on the subject at an early date.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that on the 19th of February there were 206 dead pigs for sale in Enniskillen market and on the 26th of February 185 pigs, and that on the 5th of March there were only 15 pigs exposed for sale; if he is aware that this short supply is caused by the last Order of the Food Controller, as the people refuse to slaughter their pigs under the new control prices; and if the Food Controller will withdraw the Order and allow the people to sell their pigs in the open market without any control price, as by doing so the markets will regulate their own prices?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe Pigs (Maximum Prices) Order was made on the 6th November, 1917, and the maximum price for pigs has not been altered since that date. The diminution in the supply of pigs at Enniskillen as between February and March, 1918, to which the hon. Member refers is not, therefore, due to the cause suggested. The Food Controller cannot undertake to withdraw the Order or revoke the maximum price for pigs; he will, however, consider the advisability of permitting a slight increase in the maximum price.