§ 57. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the decree by the commissar of foreign trade in Russia to intensify the dumping of fruit pulp into this country during the coming season; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the livelihood of market gardeners, fruit growers and their employés in this country from the effect of the dumping of such goods?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Maldon (Colonel Ruggles-Brise) on 12th March last, in which I stated that I was considering the possibility of introducing the necessary legislation to enable jam made from home-grown fruit to be brought within the scope of the National Mark Scheme.
§ Mr. SMITHERSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the market garden industry is brought to the verge of ruin by the importation of this dumped produce—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is making a speech.
§ Mr. R. A. TAYLORCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me what quantity came from Russia?
§ Dr. ADDISONI could not say that without notice, but whatever quantity came from Russia would be small as compared with imports from elsewhere. That was not the cause of the depression last year.
§ Mr. SMITHERSOn a point of Order. May I respectfully point out that an important industry in my Division is being brought nearly to the verge of ruin—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat may be so—I do not know—but Question Time is not the time for the hon. Member to make speeches.