asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the fact that the retail price of bacon has now been reduced, he will ensure that farmers and pig producers will be paid an economic price for their produce.

Since the price of bacon was fixed by the Bacon (Maximum Prices) Order, 1951, curers have been paying up to 225/- per cwt. dead weight for pigs and this, in my judgment, is a price which will yield a fair return to producers, especially those who use a substantial proportion of home-produced feeding stuffs.

Does the Minister not realise that, now that the price of feeding stuffs has in some cases gone as high as £15 a ton, the price of 225/- a cwt. is not an economic or equitable price at the present time?

I can assure the Deputy that I am quite satisfied that the price of 225/- per cwt. for pigs is an eminently remunerative price for the farmer who breeds, feeds and fattens his own pigs. The farmer who habitually purchases bonhams — or suckers, as they are called in the northern counties—and seeks to fatten them is imposing on himself a diet of skimmed milk, while he leaves the cream for the breeder; and there is nothing I can do about it.

If the price is so remunerative, why is the pig population decreasing?

I am hoping to relieve Deputy O'Reilly's gloom by assuring him that the pig population is steadily rising.

They are going over the Border.

God speed them if they do.

Is the Minister aware that the British Government have guaranteed the producer 280/- per cwt. dead weight?

Is the Deputy aware that we have repealed the Act of Union and have no intention whatever of reenacting it?