§ Mr. Swainasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will conduct an urgent inquiry as to why the number of breeding sows in the United Kingdom has dropped by more than 200,000 from 1973 to 1977; and if he will publish his findings.
§ Mr. BishopI am conscious of the decline in the pig breeding herd from its peak in 1973. My Department takes account of all factors having a bearing on such developments in the annual review of agriculture which is in progress.