§ 19. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the unofficial rationing of bacon in recent months, and the sharp rise in price, why he has not taken steps to import more of the great quantities available for export in Poland at prices below Danish bacon imports, especially since Poland wishes to use the sterling so earned to import British manufactures.
Mr. AmoryThe contracts made by my Department for the supply of Polish bacon cover the full quantity included in the Trade Agreement for 1955. The firsthand prices of bacon have been falling since 13th November and supplies are plentiful.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the fact that the fall in prices paid to bacon-pig producers is not followed by a corresponding fall in 122W retail prices, he will take steps to control the retail price of bacon.
Mr. AmoryNo. Retail bacon prices vary from shop to shop and from district to district but they are now falling. The following is a comparison of representative prices with those ruling in October:
REPRESENTATIVE RETAIL BACON PRICES Cut Price per lb. October, 1955 Week ending 17th December s. d. s. d. Smoked: Back rashers 5 2 4 0 Streak rashers 3 10 3 0 Collar rashers 4 0 3 8 Middle rashers 4 2 3 4 Gammon rashers 5 4 5 4 Unsmoked: Back rashers 5 0 3 8