§ 5. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the increase of the price of meat in Germany; whether he has received Consular information on this subject; if not, whether he will ask for Reports on this matter from our Consuls; and, if such Reports have already come to hand, what reasons are assigned for the steady upward tendency in the cost of meat in Germany?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Robertson)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am aware of the increase in the price of meat in Germany. My hon. Friend will find references to the subject in recent Reports from His Majesty's Consuls in Germany which have been laid before Parliament. The causes of the rise are a matter of controversy in Geramny. It may be noted that the Prussian Government have recently decided upon some relaxation of the regulations concerning the importation of meat, and that the Imperial Government are considering a proposal for 2163 the grant of a rebate of 4½ or 8½ Pfennige per lb. of the Import Duty in cases where municipalities import fresh or frozen beef at their own cost for sale to consumers.