34. Mr. BUTLER LLOYDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will take steps to place Irish fat stock under the same restrictions as prevail in Great Britain, as otherwise it is feared by agriculturists that the present unrestricted prices will have a harmful effect on the supply of aged store cattle suitable for grazing our best pastures; and is he aware that fat cattle in Ireland are selling up to 100s. per cwt. live-weight, which is 15s. to 20s. per cwt. higher than English graziers can afford to pay?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. Clynes)I cannot usefully add anything to the answer given last Thursday on this question, except to repeat that in future Irish fat cattle will be sold in Great Britain under the same restrictions as apply to all cattle fit for slaughter in that country.
§ Mr. DILLONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the restrictions and interference of the Food Controller in the Irish cattle trade has largely contributed to the scarcity of meat in this country for the last three months?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe withholding of meat in Ireland will, of course, largely con- 9 tribute to the scarcity of food here. Many of the points raised in this question were covered fully in the answer given last Thursday.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYWill the hon. Gentleman advise the Food Controller to leave an open market for fat cattle and other kinds of cattle, and let us have reasonable prices to meet the wishes of the people of Great Britain?
§ Mr. CLYNESIt is impossible under war conditions to conduct business in cattle as was the case prior to the War. But in all the arrangements we make we are constantly in consultation with the representatives of the Irish cattle industry.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYIs it not the fact that all the rules that have been put into force have been violated both in Great Britain and in Ireland? Will the hon. Gentleman advise the Food Controller to take off the restrictions in price, and allow the market to control itself?
§ Mr. CLYNESIt is true that here and there there have been violations of the arrangements: that, however, is not an argument for taking off the restrictions, but rather for enforcing them.
§ Mr. FIELDIs it not the fact that, notwithstanding the representations of men of experience in the Irish live-stock trade, their advice is very seldom taken; in fact, that the opposite course is the one generally followed by the Food Controller?
§ Mr. CLYNESThere is some difficulty in accepting the advice because of the differing form in which it is given.
Mr. LLOYDWill the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, "is he aware that fat cattle in Ireland are selling up to 100s. per cwt. live-weight, which is 15s. to 20s. per cwt. higher than English graziers can afford to pay?"
§ Mr. CLYNESI would refer the hon. Gentleman to the terms of the reply of last Thursday in respect to that.
§ Mr. DILLONYou run a risk of getting no meat at all.
§ Mr. DIXONWhy not make the prices the same in both countries; why is Ireland given the preference?
§ Mr. DILLONYou will get no meat at All.
§ Mr. CLYNESThe reply of last Thursday shows that the present arrangements are designed to equalise the conditions in both England and Ireland.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYWill the conditions as to coal also be equalised?
§ Mr. CLYNESI should hope so, but coal is not in my line.