asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the action of the bacon curers in increasing bacon prices to retailers by the expedient of selling ribless, hamless sides, he will state what steps have been taken by him to prevent this continued mulcting of the public and if he will say whether he is now in a position to make a statement in connection with the matter as promised by him in reply to a question on 15th March.

As the Deputy is, no doubt, aware, the Minister for Industry and Commerce has made on Order, operative from 3rd April, 1951, fixing maximum wholesale and retail prices for bacon. It may be well that I should add that, although this Order does not purport to fix any price for pigs, it does provide an ample margin for curers on a basis of 220/- per cwt. dead-weight for pigs.

Can the Minister say if the price fixed for bacon allows any margin of profit to the producer of pigs?

Yes, a very satisfactory margin.