asked the Minister of Agriculture if in view of the fact that during December, 1947, and January, 1948, 76 per cent. of the pigs slaughtered in this country were used for the private consumption of self-suppliers, as against 57 per cent. in the corresponding period a year ago, he will take immediate steps to allocate feedingstuffs in relation to the animals sold to the Ministry of Food.

Fat pigs sold to the Ministry of Food must already have been fed for several months, and any attempt to adjust rations of feedingstuffs to deliveries of fat pigs would raise problems of great complexity. That is not the only difficulty about my hon. Friend's proposal, which is, however, being examined in connection with the review of the basis of rationing which I announced on 25th March.

Is not the time overdue when people who are providing food for the common weal should have the greatest encouragement from the Minister?

Yes, Sir, and I think that that is the case at the moment. I would remind my hon. Friend that self-suppliers of pigs receive only a very small proportion in the form of a ration to feed their Pigs.

Will the Minister assure the House that the interests and needs of smallholders who keep one or two pigs for themselves will not be overlooked?

Yes, Sir.

Will the Minister bear in mind that there are areas in this country where there are plenty of feeding-stuffs available for pigs, and the only thing which prevents people from keeping pigs is the system of rationing restrictions? Pigs are organically very valuable for small fauns and holdings; therefore, will he reconsider the matter?

I am not aware of that.

Is the Minister aware that the system of rationing would be unfair to those farmers who breed pigs for sale as stores and do not sell fat pigs to the Ministry of Food?

Certainly.