§ Lieut.-Commander CHILCOTTasked the Food Controller whether the importation of pigs is restricted to those who imported in 1916 on the basis of trade done in that year; if so, whether he is aware that pork butchers who were serving with the Forces in 1916, and have now returned, are thereby debarred from following their business; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. McCURDYI presume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to the importation of live pigs into Great Britain from Ireland, as importation from all other sources is prohibited by the Ministry of Agriculture. I am aware that licenses to import Irish pigs are at present issued on the basis of the trade done in 1916, but the suggestion that this condition is likely to hinder the business of any pork butcher who was serving in the Army in that year, is without foundation, except in the case of a butcher who had previously been an importer from Ireland. If any such ease is submitted to the Food Controller he will take the necessary steps to secure an allocation for the claimant. In all other cases, pork butchers who have resumed business after demobilisation can obtain supplies of Irish pork from the wholesaler or importer with whom they dealt prior to their period of service.
§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the extent to which the land of England and Wales has changed hands since the War broke out, whether he can state the number of proprietors of the 33,000,000 394W acres as compared with Domesday Book of 1874–75, when 38,000 owned 28,000,000 acres out of 972,836 owning the 33,000,000 acres?
§ Mr. BALDWINThere is no information available on the question asked by the hon. and gallant Member.