§ 25. Captain DOWERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to make any statement with regard to the recent negotiations with the Dominions and Argentina regarding' the importation of frozen and chilled meat?
§ Mr. ELLIOTHis Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have not yet heard from the Argentine Government that they are in a position to resume the negotiations regarding longterm meat arrangements which were adjourned at the end of July last.
§ Captain DOWERCan my right hon. Friend say whether there is at present any prospect of his being able to put his long-term policy into operation before the end of the trade agreements, and, if not, will he make it very clear that the subsidy will be continued until those long-term policies come into operation?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe term of the Acts passed by the late Parliament runs on to a period which practically covers the remainder of the trade agreements.
§ Mr. PALINGAre we to understand that there is no hope of any negotiation taking place again with those countries?
§ Captain DOWERMay I ask my right hon. Friend to say, in answer to the second part of the question, whether there is still no hope of any agreement being come to?
§ Mr. ELLIOTOh, certainly. I think so. Negotiations are going on between this country and Argentina, and they are being most seriously considered by both sides.