HC Deb 21 January 1931 vol 247 cc175-6
34. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Minister of Agriculture Whether in view of the fact that in November 40 per cent. of the wheat that came here was from Soviet Russia and some was sold down to 22s. a quarter, he will say what steps he is taking to counteract the effect on British agriculture of these sudden importations?

Dr. ADDISON

The cereal situation in this country is under examination, but I am not in a position at present to add anything to the reply on this subject given on behalf of the President of the Board of Trade on the 30th October to the hon. Member for Forfar (Sir H. Hope).

Commander BELLAIRS

When will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give the House the results of his consideration?

Dr. ADDISON

I cannot say at the moment.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, since this question was put on the Paper, the price of Russian wheat has further depreciated to 18s. 6d. a quarter; and what is going to be done for the British farmer?

Dr. ADDISON

I am well aware of the price of Russian wheat.

Sir F. HALL

Will you shut out Russian wheat?

Mr. HURD

Did not the right hon. Gentleman give us an undertaking that, as soon as the Imperial Conference closed, we should have a definite statement of the Government's policy with regard to cereal agriculture?

Dr. ADDISON

The statement was that as soon as the Conference closed we should take the matter into our consideration.

Mr. HAYCOCK

Are not the Soviet Government and Arcos getting just as high a price as they can?

35. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the decision of the Soviet Russian authorities to increase the exportable surplus of grain in 1931 from 10 per cent. to 25 per cent.; and what measures the Government intend to take to prevent dumping of this produce in the United Kingdom?

Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

I do not know the source of the hon. and gallant Member's figures, but I am aware that the Soviet Government are hoping to be able to increase the exportable surplus of grain. With regard to the second part of the question I would refer to the answer which I gave on 3rd November to a question by the hon. Member for Kingston-on-Thames (Sir G. Penny), a copy of which I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member.

Commander LOCKER-LAMPSON

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this export can only be increased by starving Russian nationals?

Mr. GILLETT

No, Sir; I am not aware that that is so.

HON. MEMBERS

You ought to be!

Commander SOUTHBY

Are you taking any steps to find out?

Mr. WISE

Is my hon. Friend aware that the statement made by the hon. Member opposite is entirely untrue?—[Interruption.]

Commander LOCKER-LAMPSON

May we have an opportunity—[Interruption.] On a point of Order. An hon. Member has declared that the statement made by me is untrue. All that I ask is an opportunity later to prove that my statement was true. Can we have that opportunity?

Mr. SPEAKER

Captain Peter Macdonald.