HC Deb 24 June 1930 vol 240 cc945-6
10. Major COLVILLE

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of oatmeal, rolled oats, and pearled barley, respectively, imported from Germany during the year 1929 and for the first four months of 1930; and to what extent the export of these manufactured products has been subsidised by the German Government?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

The reply to the first part of the question involves a table of figures, which, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I understand that exporters of these products from Germany receive import bonds, the present face value of which is, for oat products, 10 marks per 100 kilograms of oats used, and, for pearled barley, 12 marks per 100 kilograms of barley used.

Major COLVILLE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that large quantities of subsidised German oatmeal are being imported into Scotland, a country which is well able to supply itself in that respect?

Mr. GRAHAM

Yes, Sir. Without mentioning the figures, they certainly indicate that during the first four months of this year the quantities were substantially above those of last year.

Mr. MACPHERSON

Have not the German Government ceased to subsidise the export of oats?

Mr. GRAHAM

In the case of certain products of these commodities, as from the 4th June, the system of import bonds has been suspended, but not in the case of all.

Following is the table:

The following table shows the total quantity of Oat Products and of Pearled Barley imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered as consigned from Germany during the year 1929 and the first four months of 1930.

Description. Year 1929. January to April, 1930.
Oat products: Cwt. Cwt.
Meal 54,652 55,743
Other sorts (including groats and rolled oats). 93,175 51,841
Pearled Barley 94,658 34,297