§ 60. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what sum has been allocated by the Empire Marketing Board to the present campaign on behalf of home-grown potatoes respectively as Press advertising and other forms of publicity; and whether he can say what has been the response to the board's efforts in this direction?
§ Mr. PALINGIt is not the normal practice to assign fixed sums from the Empire Marketing Board for the advertisement of particular commodities, and no such assignment has been made in respect of home-grown potatoes. It is not possible to make any estimate of direct results accruing from the publicity which the board have given to this subject, as it is part of their general scheme for promoting the marketing of Empire produce from home and overseas.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEDoes the hon. Member not think in the particular circumstances that he might do a little more on behalf of the Government to facilitate better publicity on these matters?
§ Mr. PALINGI will ask my right hon. Friend to consider that matter.
§ Mr. HAYCOCKMay I ask whether we are encouraging the Colonies to do for us what we are now doing for them in the way of advertising goods?
§ 89. Sir HARRY HOPEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will accede to the appeal made by farmers, landowners, smallholders and farm workers that importation of new, or luxury, potatoes be suspended pending investigation into the risk of diseases being introduced by them and in order that stocks of home-grown potatoes may be sold before they go to waste?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Dr. Addison)Prohibitions and restrictions on the importation of potatoes into this country have already been imposed under the Destructive Insects and Pests Acts where there is danger of the introduction of pests or diseases into this country, and in all cases where importation is allowed the potatoes are required to be accompanied by an official certificate of health. Prohibitions and restrictions on economic grounds are precluded by the International Convention for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions and Restrictions, ratified by the late Government.
§ Sir H. HOPEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the list of diseases is increasing, and that unless suspension is made very soon the stocks of potatoes at home will go to waste?
§ Dr. ADDISONI can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are constantly reviewing this matter and that the restrictions with regard to disease are very strictly adhered to.
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNWhen the right hon. Gentleman always refers to the acts of the late Government, is it because the present Government have no policy of their own?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe Convention was concluded by the late Government, and it cannot be dispensed with until June, 1931.
§ Mr. BLINDELLIn view of the fact that the United States and Canada are keeping out British potatoes merely on 2242 the ground that there is danger of the importation of disease, has not the hon. Gentleman yet received sufficient indication that there is a positive danger of disease being introduced into this country by the importation of potatoes from France?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have already said that we are continually investigating these cases and that the prohibitions are most strictly adhered to. If the hon. Member can tell me of any case, I will gladly go into it.
§ Mr. BLINDELLMay I further ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the fact that other countries refuse to accept our clean health certificate with regard to potatoes, he will adopt the same course in the interest of the British producers?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhen the right hon. Gentleman is considering this matter, will he—
§ Mr. BLINDELLMay I have an answer to my question?
§ Dr. ADDISONAs far as other countries are concerned, of course it is for them to carry out their own undertakings. All that we are responsible for is carrying out our own.
§ Mr. BLINDELLIn view of the terrible state of the potato industry in this country, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is time that we adopted the stringent measures against the foreigners which they are adopting against us?
§ Dr. ADDISONI can only reply that our action in this matter is prescribed by the International Convention which was concluded by the last Government. As far as we are concerned, we have not, and cannot obtain, any freedom of action in this or kindred matters until June, 1931.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, when he is considering this matter, to bear in mind that it is not only a question of the Convention, but of a great deal of employment which is given in the ports in connection with the importing of potatoes, and that very important business interests are involved?