§ 29. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to prevent the flooding of the English markets by foreign imported turkeys during the coming Christmas season?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAs my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the Import Duties Act provides machinery for dealing with the matter to which he refers, and the Import Duties Advisory Committee have recently had under consideration an application for an increased import duty on foreign turkeys. After investigation and discussion with the interests concerned, the committee announced, however, on 21st November, that they had decided not to make any recommendation on this application at the present time, but that they proposed to give further consideration to the matter early next year.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGECan my right hon. Friend say why the investigation of the Committee was not undertaken earlier in the year?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAs my hon. and gallant Friend knows, the Import Duties Advisory Committee work independently of information in this House, and therefore I am not able to give the information he desires.
Brigadier-General BROWNCan my right hon. Friend say whether foreign turkeys imported into this country are marked?
§ Mr. ELLIOTYes, Sir, there is a Marking Order, and its operation under the national mark scheme should assist producers in this country in the marketing of their turkeys this Christmas.