§ 3. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statistics showing the value of the exports of broccoli during the past six months?
§ 6. Mr. THURTLEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is in a position to state the quantity and value of broccoli exported from Cornwall to the Continent during the last six months?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)Exports of broccoli are not separately distinguished in the Trade Returns. I should explain that these exports were an experimental effort on the part of Cornish growers, with whom the Ministry of Agriculture co-operated by providing for the use of the National Mark, and prescribing standard grades and packages under the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act of last Session, which is the basis of the Government's programme of marketing reform. This export of broccoli is only a small part of the programme, which has already been applied with remarkable success to eggs, and also to certain kinds of fruit.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESDoes the right hon. Gentleman attach any agricultural significance to this export of broccoli?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI attach significance to all successful efforts by farmers to grade efficiently and to export. I am surprised, having read a certain chapter of the Liberal Green Book, if the hon. and gallant Gentleman differs.
§ Mr. THURTLEHas this experiment resulted in a great increase of employment in Cornwall?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not know why this should be sneered at.
§ Mr. THURTLEOn a point of Order. When I make a perfectly legitimate request for information, is the Minister entitled to say that the question is a sneer?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt was rather an unhappy remark.
§ Mr. W. THORNEDo broccoli and beef go together?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think they go very well together. I should recommend the hon. Member to try it.
Commander WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a very considerable export in this trade, thanks to the high skill that has been put into the grading, cultivation, and turning out of the article, that this has been a very successful year, thanks largely to the encouragement to farmers, and that there has been an enormous amount of additional railway traffic as well as great employment in the district itself?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo one speaks with more knowledge of the West country than my hon. and gallant friend.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs not this whole campaign of grading and marketing instituted by the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture a very good example of practical Socialism?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, on the contrary, it is a very good example
| The following TABLE shows the Total Declared Value of Merchandise exported from the United Kingdom registered as consigned to China and Hong Kong (excluding Macao and leased territories) during the three months, January to March, 1928 and 1929:— | |||
| — | January to March. | ||
| 1928. | 1929. | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Exports of United Kingdom Produce and Manufactures consigned to: | |||
| China (excluding Macao and leased territories) | … | 2,926,944 | 4,115,113 |
| Hong Kong | … | 1,379,705 | 1,721,572 |
| Total | … | 4,306,649 | 5,836,685 |
| Exports of Imported Merchandise consigned to: | |||
| China (excluding Macao and leased territories) | … | 28,308 | 24,270 |
| Hong Kong | … | 22,466 | 34,569 |
| Total | … | 50,774 | 58,839 |