§ 14. Sir P. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of the fact that the Netherlands, one of our keenest competitors in egg production, has sent us in the first six months of this year nearly four times as many eggs as in the corresponding periods of 1933 and 1934; in view also of the consequential depression in price in the market for home-produced eggs in recent months; and, in view of the probability that the Great Britain Reorganisation Commission will not report until the autumn, he will state what immediate steps the Government are taking to give the British producer the first place in the home market as promised?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am aware that the increase in imports of eggs in shell from the Netherlands is as stated by my hon. Friend. I would, however, draw his attention to my reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Captain Heilgers) on 22nd July, a copy of which I am sending to him; and, as regards prices, the re- 2283 cords show that since the early part of this year they have on the average been higher than those ruling during the corresponding periods of last year. Arrangements are being made with the purpose of securing a reduction of approximately 5 per cent. in total imports from foreign sources during the current quarter as compared with the corresponding quarter of 1933. The attention of the Netherlands Government has been drawn to the over-shipments from that country during the first half of the year.
§ Sir P. HURDHas it been suggested to the Netherlands that they might prefer a 10 per cent reduction?
§ Mr. ELLIOTWe have simply drawn their attention to the shipments. The exact measures to deal with the position have not been settled between the two countries.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill the right hon. Gentleman remember in this and in other matters that the poor people are large consumers of these eggs, and that any alteration that will make the price high will very adversely affect them?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am aware that the poor people are consumers of these eggs, and that on account of the better conditions they have secured owing to this Government they are able to purchase them.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Marketing Act, 1932, granted him powers to prohibit or restrict imports only when a marketing scheme is in existence or is in course of preparation? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what progress has been made in regard to a marketing scheme?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI do not think that that arises here.
§ 38. Sir P. HURDasked the President of the. Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the importation of eggs from the Netherlands in the first six months of this year were 1,770,000 great hundreds, as compared with about 470,000 great hundreds in each of the two preceding years; and whether he has, as promised, considered the necessity of calling on the Netherlands Government to observe our request that their shipments for the whole of this year 2284 should show a 10 per cent. reduction upon the 1934 figure?
§ 40. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that the Netherlands observe the agreement which has been entered into with them with regard to the import of eggs into this country?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)I am ware that imports of eggs from the Netherlands in the first six months of this year have shown a large increase over those in the same period of the two preceding years. There is no agreement with the Netherlands Government that they will restrict their exports of eggs to this country, but they and other foreign Governments have been asked to do so. The position has recently been discussed here with representatives of the Netherlands Government, who undertook to go into the question on their return to Holland.
§ Sir P. HURDDid not His Majesty's Government make a request that Netherlands shipments should be reduced by 10 per cent., and is that the request which we are now pursuing?
§ Dr. BURGINThe Netherlands Government and other Governments have been requested to reduce their export of eggs to this country. I was pointing out to the House that there was no agreement.
§ Sir P. HURDI did not say there was.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIf the Netherlands Government do not accede to our request, could we not take steps under the Marketing Act to force them to do so?
§ Dr. BURGINThe whole question of what procedure will be adopted in the event of the Netherlands not acceding to our request had better be deferred until their Government have had an opportunity of hearing what their representatives have reported, and of communicating their decision.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs it not a considerable time—over a year—since they were asked, and instead of reducing their export have they not increased it?