HC Deb 19 December 1927 vol 212 cc10-1
23. Captain CROOKSHANK

asked the Minister of Agriculture the reasons why the Government have not accepted the proposal for a duty on malting barley?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)

The Government have given careful consideration to this proposal, but are unable to accept it. A White Paper will be issued to-day giving the reasons for this decision. In view of the partial disclosure by correspondence in the Press of the nature of the Report of the Treasury Committee which examined this matter in 1923, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has consented to make an exception from the general rule that such reports are not to be published owing to their confidential nature, and the Report will be printed as an appendix to the White Paper.

Captain CROOKSHANK

Is it not quite clear that the suggestion for a duty was only made in regard to malting barley, and not all barley?

Mr. GUINNESS

Oh, yes. An import duty on all barley would be quite unacceptable to agriculturists.

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

What are the countries with which we have treaties that are affected by any possible change in this duty or by an Excise Duty?

Mr. GUINNESS

I think there are about five or six commercial treaties in which there is a definite provision against differential Excise, but this provision is extended throughout the range of our treaties by the most-favoured-nation Clause.

Mr. SOMERVILLE

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that he has given up all idea of a tax on making barley?

Mr. GUINNESS

I think my hon. Friend had better await the White Paper.