§ 56. Lieut.-Colonel RUGGLES-BRISEasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the decision of the German Government to impose a duty of £1 per quarter on malting barley imported from foreign countries; that the decision of the Czechoslovakian Government is to subsidise the export of barley from that country by an export bounty of 7s. 6d. per quarter; and whether, in view of the effect which these proposals will have on the market and price of English malting barley, he will take steps to safeguard the producer in this country?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe rate of import duty on malting barley imported into Germany was raised to about 30s. per quarter of 448 lbs. as from 25th April last. The information at my disposal with regard to Czechoslovakia indicates that exporters of barley from that country will, under a law passed on 5th June last, be entitled to an import licence at the rate of about 7s. 6d. per quarter of 448 lbs. This law is not in operation at present, but it is expected to become effective when certain negotiations with the Hungarian Government are completed. With regard to the last part of the question, I have nothing to add at present to previous statements on the subject.