§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many bacon and curing factories there are in Great Britain; what were the corresponding figures for the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many bacon curing factories there are in Great Britain, what were the corresponding figures for the last 10 years: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WigginThere are currently 168 plants in Great Britain engaged in curing bacon. The numbers in each of the previous years were as follows:
1970 234 1971 269 1972 279 1973 267 1974 245 1975 235 1976 224 1977 211 1978 197 The reduction in recent years reflects a degree of rationalisation in the industry but the high level of monetary compensatory amounts which has given imports a competitive advantage has also been an important factor. I am pleased that over the past four months our MCA disadvantage has been reduced from 28.2 per cent to 6.5 per cent.