§ Lieutenant - Colonel Bromley - Davenportasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that bacon pig producers in Great Britain, including those who have entered into long term contracts, are receiving less than the standard price, excluding the quality premiums, and that substantial losses are made in converting these pigs into bacon; and if he will consider separating the bacon and pork markets for guarantee purposes so as to ensure that bacon pig producers can receive the standard price to which they are entitled, without involving losses on bacon production in Great Britain.
§ Mr. SoamesI am aware of this, but I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the guarantee is to pig producers as a whole. It is based on the average market price and it is not designed to equalise the returns to all producers. Indeed the individual producer's return must depend on the market conditions for his product. Nevertheless I have discussed the problems which are facing the bacon curing industry with their representatives and I am looking into them.