§ 45. Sir J. D. REESasked the Prime Minister what steps His Majesty's Government is taking to prevent the control of the meat supply from Argentina to this country becoming the monopoly of two or three American firms?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. As the hon. Member for North Shropshire was informed on 11th June, the matter appears to His Majesty's Government to be primarily one for the consideration of the Government of Argentina. It is not altogether apparent that anything in the nature of a monopoly is contemplated by the American firms in question, and in any case I doubt whether independent action could usefully be taken on this side at the present moment.
§ Mr. BOWERMANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that representatives of these firms giving evidence before a Departmental Committee appointed by this House made statements which proved not only to be misleading, but in many respects false, and those statements have been under investigation by the City Corporation?
§ Mr. BUXTONIf the hon. Gentleman will give me notice I will look into the matter.
§ 54. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has information to the effect that the American firms which control the Argentine meat trade are preparing to include Australia in their operations; and, if so, what steps His Majesty's Government proposes to take to prevent the control of the Colonial supply of meat to this country falling into the hands of a foreign monopoly?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)I have no information as to the intentions of the firms to which the hon. Member refers.