HC Deb 12 May 1931 vol 252 cc962-3
3. Mr. REMER

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the difficulties caused to the vendors of butter by the sale of butter by the Soviet at prices below the cost of production in Great Britain and the Dominions; and what action he intends to take to prohibit these importations?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

I am aware that the price of butter, in common with that of other commodities, has recently fallen considerably, but my attention has not been called to difficulties of the nature referred to. As regards the last part of the question, it has already been indicated on several occasions that His Majesty's Government have no power to prohibit or restrict the importation of such goods into this country on the ground of the prices at which they are offered, nor do they contemplate taking any such power.

Sir GEORGE HAMILTON

Has not the right hon. Gentleman seen a photograph in one of the papers to-day, the "Daily Mail," I think, showing 15,000 barrels of Russian butter were landed here below the cost of production in this country—really a slap in the face to Australia and New Zealand?

Mr. SMITHERS

Has the right hon. Gentleman no thought at all for the British or Colonial farmer?

Mr. REMER

Is it not a fact that in Russia they cannot get butter at any price?

HON. MEMBERS

Answer!

Mr. GRAHAM rose

—

Lieut. - Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

Surely we can have an answer, Mr. Speaker?

Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE

As the right hon. Gentleman rose to answer the question, may he not be allowed to do so?

Mr. SPEAKER

Not if it has not a bearing on the question.

Sir G. HAMILTON

I asked a perfectly clear question. In his reply, the right hon. Gentleman said that his attention has not been called specifically to the landing of Russian butter.

Mr. SPEAKER

That is an answer, is it not?