§ Captain W. BENNasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade whether, for the guidance of traders and to secure as far as possible a continuity of suitable supplies, he will consider the advisability of immediately declaring the stocks of bacon and hams held by the Board in America, on passage, and in this country, giving particulars of cuts and the intentions of the Board as to disposal?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe answer is in the negative. The policy of announcing stocks to the trade was adopted on the previous decontrol of bacon in 1919 and had to be abandoned as it was found to encourage market manipulation. The Department is in close touch with traders and there is no apprehension of any break in continuity of supplies.