§ 58. Sir VICTOR WARRENDERasked the Minister of Agriculture Whether he will appoint a committee to inquire into the dumping of foreign cereals in this country and to consider what steps should be taken by the Government to protect the home producers?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe Government are fully aware of all the facts and circumstances connected with the importation of what is generally known as bounty-fed cereals, and it has done and will continue to do whatever is practicable in the matter. In these circumstances, my right hon. Friend does not consider that the appointment of a Committee as suggested by the hon. Baronet would serve any useful purpose.
§ Sir V. WARRENDERIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George), and does he not realise the vital necessity of doing something in this matter before next harvest?
§ Dr. ADDISONI fully realise that necessity, and we shall do all that we 3085 can. For all that, however, I do not consider that this Committee would serve any useful purpose.
§ Sir V. WARRENDERDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the harvest is only a few months off?
§ Dr. ADDISONYes, I am well aware of that fact.
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUELWhat has been the result of the negotiations that have taken place at Geneva on this matter?
§ Dr. ADDISONI should have to have notice of that question.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes the right hon. Gentleman look with any more favour on the proposals of the right hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George) than he generally does?
§ Captain MARGESSONThe right hon. Gentleman says that he has taken steps; what steps has he taken?
§ Dr. ADDISONAt the moment, I am not able to make any further statement, but I would like to say that the hon. and gallant Member will certainly find that our efforts in this direction will be much more useful and valuable than those of the last Government.
§ Captain MARGESSONIs the answer to this question like the answer which I received from his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer—a guinea pig?