§ MR. H. H. MARKS (Kent, Thanet)To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the 1038 Board has received representations from the Canterbury Farmers' Club and East Kent Chamber of Agriculture with reference to the position of the hop industry in East Kent; and whether it is proposed to take any steps in the matter.
(Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) We have received a resolution from the body named calling attention to the serious position of the hop industry owing to the unfair competition from foreign countries, but they do not make any suggestions as to action which might be taken by the Government. If, however they refer to the proposal that foreign hops should be marked or that an import duty should be imposed, the Government cannot take action in either direction.