§ 61. Mr. Asterley Jonesasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that pigs weighing 12 stone and upwards are being sold as store pigs in auction markets at prices in excess of those which could be obtained if the pigs were sold to the Ministry of Food for conversion into bacon; and whether he is satisfied that these pigs are not being diverted into the black market.
§ Dr. SummerskillWe know that some of these sales may be the prelude to black market transactions, and all practicable steps are being taken to prevent such transactions.
§ 62. Mr. Asterley Jonesasked the Minister of Food for how long pigs must be fed by their owners before a licence to slaughter for their own consumption is granted; and whether he is satisfied that the regulations on this matter are being complied with.
§ Dr. SummerskillPigs intended for consumption by their owners must be kept for four months before a licence to slaughter may be issued. I am satisfied that all practicable steps are taken to ensure that the Ministry's Regulations in this regard are carried out.
§ 63. Mr. Asterley Jonesasked the Minister of Food how many pigs were slaughtered during August and September, 1947, under self suppliers and cooperative pig clubs licences; and how many were slaughtered in bacon factories to provide bacon for the ration during the same period.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe number of pigs slaughtered under licence by self-suppliers and co-operative pig clubs during August and September, 1947, was 79W 6,441, compared with 85,742 pigs slaughtered in bacon factories in the same period.
73. Major Leg ge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Food if he is satisfied that the dislike of grocers to handle large sides of bacon over 90 lbs. has not resulted in unnecessarily early slaughter of pigs and loss of home produced bacon.
§ Dr. SummerskillWith feedingstuffs supplies so limited, I am satisfied that we get the maximum quantity of food and also the type of bacon which the public prefers by discouraging the production of sides of bacon larger than 90 lbs.