HC Deb 10 November 1927 vol 210 cc362-3
70. Mr. HURD

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, following upon the representations of the National Farmers' Union, he has inquired into the allegation of bounty-fed competition from abroad in British home production; and, if so, what is the extent of that competition?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Inquiry has been made and answers are coming in. I shall be happy to communicate the result to the hon. Member when complete information is available.

Mr. HURD

May I put down this question again on this day week?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I do not think I could give a satisfactory reply, because these inquiries cover a large number of cases and we have to make an inquiry in each of them. I will let the hon. Member know the result.

Sir R. SANDERS

Will the right hon. Gentleman make the news public when he gets the information?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Yes. Perhaps I had better communicate with the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Hurd), and, if the answer is not too long, I might publish a summary of it at any rate.

Mr. A. V. ALEXANDER

Is this part of a Conservative programme for taxes on food?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No, but I have often heard the hon. Member for Hillsborough (Mr. A. V. Alexander) say that the Government do not provide sufficient information on important matters. In this case we propose to provide it.