12. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether only about 6½ per cent, of the hog and sheep casings used as sausage skins are produced in this country and that the prohibition of the import seriously restricts the supply of cheap food; whether cattle casings cannot be used as a substitute; whether sheep casings may be imported from New Zealand on condition that they are immediately transhipped and exported to America, a process which occupies more shipping space than if they were imported to this country; whether he has consulted any representatives of the trade in this country other than producers, whose interest it is to prevent the 956 import of casings and so keep up prices; and whether he has granted any licences to import?
Mr. ROBERTSThe question of granting licences for the import of hog and sheep casings has been under consideration by the Board of Trade for some time, in consultation with other Departments concerned. Some licences have already been granted or promised and other applications are being dealt with. It is true of all goods on the prohibited list that their transhipment to British ports in transit to foreign or Colonial destinations is not affected by the prohibitions of import into the United Kingdom.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTCan the hon. Gentleman say whether he has consulted the Food Controller with regard to this matter?
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTWill the hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question which asks what representatives of the trade he has consulted?