24. Mr. HASLAMasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the large increase of imports of Japanese dried, peas during the months of December and January last; that these Japanese peas were put on the home market at a considerably lower price than English-grown peas and brought about a fall in price of the latter; and whether he has any remedy to propose, in view of Japanese labour conditions, the fall in value of Japanese currency, and the present low ad valorem duty of 10 per cent. on imported peas?
§ Mr. ELLIOTImports of Japanese dried peas are normally heavier in the winter when the new season's crop becomes available, but I am aware that this season such imports have been greater than in recent years and that prices have fallen. Japanese peas are usually cheaper than similar home-grown supplies. With regard to the last part of the question, it is open to the growers to submit an application for an additional import duty to the Import Duties Advisory Committee.
26. Mr. HASLAMasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that while foreign peas sold in packets are marked foreign produce, the same peas can be sold loose in shops without the public knowing they are buying foreign produce, and that foreign peas are being sold' in this country to-day labelled English canned peas; and whether he is prepared to investigate and, if necessary, take action to let the public know in all cases whether they are buying home-grown or foreign peas?
§ Mr. ELLIOTUnder Section 1 of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, imported peas are only required to bear an indication of origin on sale or exposure for sale when there is applied to them the name or trade mark of any trader, or the name of any place, in the United Kingdom. It is open to the interests concerned to submit an application for the imposition of more comprehensive marking requirements. I am advised, however, that any marking requirements imposed in pursuance of Section 1 or Section 2 would not apply to imported peas canned in this country. Under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, it is an offence to apply to goods a false trade description as to the place or country in which any goods were made or produced, and I should be willing to consider whether any appropriate action could be taken if particulars of any specific case of false marking are submitted to me.
Mr. HASLAMMay I submit to the right hon. Gentleman that the English-canned peas, which are really foreign, have a misleading name on them?
§ Captain STRICKLANDIs it not time that the Government themselves introduced a Measure requiring foreign goods 1562 coming into this country to be marked as such, irrespective of the making of orders?
§ Mr. ELLIOTIt is clearly most desirable to use to the full the legislation which is on the Statute Book before we put more legislation on the Statute Book.