Lieut.-Colonel THORNEasked the Food Controller if he is aware that a number of bacon curers have received a cablegram from an important American packing house who do business with them announcing a further serious advance in the price of Wiltshire-cut sides on account of the rising price of hogs; what encouragement he is giving to the home production; if he is aware that the English pig feeders and English bacon curers state that they are being forced to sell their goods at less than the actual cost of production; if he can state when the new schedule of prices will be published; whether the Govern- 929W ment in their sales of spare material accept prices far in advance of cost; and if he will take action in the matter?
Mr. ROBERTSI am aware that cables have been received from American packing houses urging a further advance in the price of bacon on account of the rise in the price of hogs. In conjunction with the President of the Board of Agriculture, I have under consideration the questions of pig-feeding, the home production of bacon and the prices which curers are allowed to charge therefor, but I am not yet in a position to make an announcement on the subject of prices. I am satisfied that, having regard to the present controlled price of pigs, the maximum prices fixed for home-produced bacon allow the curer an adequate margin of profit. If it becomes necessary to advance the price of pigs, the maximum prices of home-produced bacon will be reconsidered. My Department does not buy or sell spare material, but in fixing the maximum price of home-produced bacon due regard has been had to the prices which can be realised for spare material.