asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the present position with regard to the concentration of the bacon industry; and whether he has considered the objections put forward by the Midland Bacon Curers' Association?

With regard to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, meetings to discuss concentration have been held in London and in Glasgow, to which all members of the bacon-curing industry were invited. My Department is now working out the details of a concentration plan with the representatives of the trade associations. The reply to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative?

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that this industry is working up to something like 80 per cent. of its pre-war capacity and that the supply of bacon is increasing?

Without accepting either of those two statements, I will certainly look into the matter.