59. Sir F. HALLasked the Food Controller if the Ministry of Food still adhere to their policy of facilitating the export of millers' offals to Denmark and elsewhere abroad; if he is aware that, as the result of this action, English farmers and bacon curers are continuing to experience difficulty in competing with 1149 foreign bacon markets, particularly Denmark; if the expert who has been consulted by the Ministry on this and other kindred matters was a person associated with the Danish Bacon Company; if this company represents an association of the principal Danish bacon-curing houses, handling the output of all the chief Danish firms, and working in direct opposition to the British bacon trade; and if, in view of the serious effect resulting from the present policy of the Ministry in developing Danish and American trade at the expense of the Home industry, he will take steps to ensure that the experts who may be consulted in future on matters of the kind in question shall be entirely free of interest in foreign firms competing in the British market?
Mr. ROBERTSThe export of millers' offals has for a considerable time been prohibited except under licence, the only offals that have left this country being a limited quantity exported in the spring of this year during a period of congestion. The total quantity was under 5,000 tons, and since then no licences have been granted. No person associated with the Danish Bacon Company has been consulted on the subject of millers' offals, and the latter parts of the question, therefore, do not arise.
Sir F. HALLIs the right hon. Gentle man aware that there is a report current amongst the authorities, who should know, that there have been 20,000 tons of bran exported to Denmark just recently, and is he aware of the fact that, considering the tremendous trouble the British farmers have to obtain this offal, many of them are considering the question whether it would not be advisable to give up pig-breeding altogether?
Mr. ROBERTSI am aware of the difficulty farmers experience in getting offal, but 1 can assure my hon. and gallant Friend the facts as I have stated them are correct. I have sanctioned with extreme reluctance the export of this total of 5,000 tons early in the spring, when driven by the necessity of clearing the mills.
Sir F. HALLWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake not to allow any further export of offals to Denmark, in order that the quantities we have here may be utilised by the British farmer?
Mr. ROBERTSI do not think the hon. and gallant Gentleman will expect me to give a definite undertaking of that sort.
1150 I can assure him export is only permitted under licence, and, therefore, I think the interests of the British farmer are adequately safeguarded.
Sir F. HALLCannot the right hon. Gentleman undertake then, under the circumstances, as the Government recognise the necessity for retaining this stuff, to give a promise that no further export of these offals shall take place?
Mr. ROBERTSI think my hon. and gallant Friend may accept the assurance that I am as keenly alive as he is to the necessity of retaining feeding-stuffs in this country, and no export will be permitted unless there are adequate supplies in this country.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not the Government policy to encourage exports in every possible way, and has the hon. Gentleman consulted the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this matter before he puts on any restrictions upon available exports?
§ Major E. WOODBefore the right hon. Gentleman comes to a final decision on this point, will he bear in mind that foodstuffs have risen over 100 per cent.?