§ Mr. BUTTON(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the great dissatisfaction amongst agriculturists at the delay in the introduction of the promised duty on imported barley, particularly in view of the approaching crop; and if he will state the reasons which compel this duty to be made the subject of a special Act, why it was not possible to include it in the Finance Act recently passed, and how and when he proposes to deal with the matter legislatively?
§ Captain FALCON(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries when it is the Government's intention to impose a duty on imported malting barley?
§ Mr. PRINGLEOn a point of Order. Is there any reason why a Private Notice question should be asked on a subject 1477 upon which a similar question appeared on the Paper when the hon. Member asking it was not present to put it orally?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is true that a question was not put by one of the hon. Members yesterday, but this, I understand, affects the business which may be before the House during the Autumn Sitting.
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir Robert Sanders)Since I made the announcement of the Government's intention to impose an Excise Duty on imported malting barley, I have been advised that this course would not be possible without modification of the provisions of certain commercial Treaties with foreign countres. The Government are, therefore, considering the alternative method of dealing with the matter by means of a Customs duty. I regret that, in consequence, it has not been possible to introduce legislation before the harvest. The various interests concerned are being consulted, and, pending the result of these discussions, I can make no announcement as to the date when the Government's proposals will be laid before Parliament.
§ Mr. LAMBIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this pledge was one of the great considerations in the settlement of the unfortunate dispute in Norfolk?
§ Mr. ROYCEHas the right hon. Gentleman considered whether the treatment of the question of barley on an acreage basis might be preferable to anything in the nature of payment by results?
§ Sir R. SANDERSNo, I have not considered that question, and I do not quite understand what it means.
§ Mr. PRINGLEArising out of the answer which has been given to these questions, I wish to ask the Prime Minister whether the imposition of a Customs duty upon barley will not be a breach of the pledge given by the late Prime Minister, the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Central Glasgow (Mr. Bonar Law), at the time of the General Election, that no additional Customs duties would be imposed in the course of the present Parliament?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs the suggestion had the approval of my right hon. Friend the Member for Central Glasgow, I imagine it would not.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWas not the suggestion to which the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Central Glasgow gave approval the suggestion which has just been abandoned by the Government, and not the new suggestion of a Customs duty? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer!"]