§ Mr. Saltasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that large quantities of store pigs are finding their way to the markets and slaughter-houses, due to the belief of the farming community that no food supplies are going to be available for feeding, or if such feeding supplies are available that they will be inadequate for their holdings; and whether he will take immediate steps to remedy this?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am aware that in certain cases owing to the shortage or unequal distribution of feeding-stuffs supplies some premature slaughtering of pigs has occurred. Steps are being taken to improve the distribution of feeding-stuffs, and my hon. Friend will be aware that larger supplies have been available since the end of 1939. Farmers have, however, been advised to plan their production programmes on the assumption that the supply of imported feeding-stuffs available to pig producers will be reduced by at least one-third as compared with the normal pre-war quantities.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Heneageasked the Minister of Food whether, having in view the losses in livestock in the County of Lindsey, especially in the Wold districts, he will make a statement as to how the distribution of feeding-stuffs is proceeding?
§ Mr. MorrisonDuring the recent spell of cold weather the transport of feeding-stuffs in all parts of the country has been seriously impeded by the snow. I understand that in the county of Lindsey supplies of feeding-stuffs from local sources have also been reduced owing to the suspension of threshing as a result of the bad weather. Increased supplies should now be coming forward to farmers.