§ 49. Sir A. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent imports of bacon and other pig meat have been reduced in view of the current increase in home supplies; and how the cost of price guarantees to home producers since 1st April compares with a year ago.
§ Mr. SoamesDuring the five months from January to May of this year, imports of bacon were 10 per cent. up on January to May last year when they were affected by the strikes in Denmark and at the London Docks, but they were slightly lower than in the same period in 1960. There has been a slight increase in imports of pork this year, representing in all some 4 per cent. of our total pork supplies.
The cost of the guarantee to home producers from 1st April to the end of June this year was £137 million compared to £7.6 million in the same period last year.