70. Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his 1419 attention has been drawn to the statement made by Lord Lee on 12th January to the effect that if the embargo on the importation of Canadian cattle were removed by legislation it would be impracticable to limit the operation of such legislation to Canada alone; and will he explain to the House why this should be so?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. GILMOURMy Noble Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty, in the statement to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, expressed his personal view that, in the present state of world politics, and having regard to the changed conditions arising out of the War, it would be impracticable to limit to Canada alone the fresh legislation that would be necessary to remove the embargo on the importation of store cattle from abroad.
Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say why it would be impracticable, and can he further say what is meant by the statement that the Minister of Agriculture, in receiving an agricultural deputation, was only expressing his personal views?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI cannot go further than the answer which I have just read.
Mr. THOMASIs it not true that a definite promise was given by a late Minister of Agriculture on this question?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI believe that a statement approaching what the right hon. Gentleman says was made.
§ Sir J. GILMOURI must have notice of that question.
§ Sir C. WARNERWill no further statement of promise be made without consulting the agriculturists of this country?
71. Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that in receiving a deputation on 12th January, with regard to the existing embargo on Canadian store cattle, Lord Lee, in resisting the abolition of the embargo, said that agricultural interests might, in the last resort, have to give way to some higher considera- 1420 tion; and will he state, for the information of the House, the nature of the higher consideration to which Lord Lee made reference.
§ Sir J. GILMOURMy Noble Friend, the First Lord of the Admiralty, on the occasion referred to, while not suggesting that the agricultural interest and the national interest were in conflict on the issues raised, wished, no doubt, to emphasise the fact that, though the primary concern of the Minister of Agriculture was obviously, and at all times, the prosperity of the agricultural industry, yet controversial questions of policy had necessarily to be examined in the light of the wider interests of the whole community, and that these, as my hon. and gallant Friend will agree, must in all circumstances prevail.
Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say what was the higher consideration to which the First Lord of the Admiralty referred?
§ Sir J. GILMOURPerhaps the hon. and gallant Member will wait for the Minister of Agriculture's return. [HON. MEMBERS: "When?" and "Wait and see!"]
Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYI beg to give notice that when the Minister returns I will put this question to him.
§ Sir G. YOUNGERIs it not obvious that these questions are put with a view to preventing his return?