§ 24. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Minister of Agriculture in view of the fact that the countries that export meat, are in the southern hemisphere, where it is to their advantage to fatten cattle while British agriculturists are selling, whether he will endeavour to arrange with exporting countries, and the companies concerned, to give British agriculture a close season in the autumn so that it can reap the full advantage of fattening cattle on grass and selling to the butchers at the end of the summer before more expensive feeding commences?
§ Commander BELLAIRSWill my right hon. Friend confer with the chairmen of the meat companies in view of the fact that the suggestion was originally made by the Chairman of the Smithfield and Argentine Meat Company?
Mr. GUINNESSI am in touch with the various meat companies. My reason for the answer is that, on examining the figures, it is evident that there is not the seasonal variation of imports suggested by the hon. and gallant Member; and to carry out these proposals would mean a fundamental dislocation of the whole of the Argentine meat trade with heavy reactions upon prices in this country.