§ 63. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the foreign imports of milk in the last two months of 1931 were greater than those for any previous year since 1921; and, in view of the fact that the farming industry of this country is capable of producing all milk requirements, will he take steps to stop the importation of foreign milk?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am aware that imports of fresh milk were received from foreign countries to the value of £7,594 in the months of November and December, 1931. With regard to the second part of my hon. Friend's question, I cannot anticipate the announcement of the Government's policy.
| The following table shows the total quantity of (1) fresh milk and (2) unsweetened preserved milk (other than condensed and powdered milk) imported into the United Kingdom, as registered during the months of November and December, 1931, respectively, and distinguishes the ports at which these imports were entered and the countries whence they were consigned. Similar particulars in respect of January, 1932, are not yet available. | |||||
| — | Fresh milk. | Unsweetened preserved mill (other than condensed and powdered milk). | |||
| November,1931. | December,1931. | November,1931. | December,1931. | ||
| Cwts. | Cwts. | Cwts. | Cwts. | ||
| Total imports | … | 17,752 | 26,955 | 332 | 1,762 |
| Ports of entry: | |||||
| London | … | 2,710 | 4,080 | 1 | — |
| Harwich | … | 470 | 3,384 | 1 | 612 |
| Middlesbrough | … | — | — | 105 | — |
| Shields, North | … | — | 982 | — | — |
| Leith | … | — | — | 225 | — |
| Newhaven | … | — | 1,831 | — | — |
| Liverpool | … | 9 | 22 | — | — |
| Holyhead | … | 159 | 117 | — | — |
| Fishguard | … | 8,057 | 12,971 | — | — |
| Bristol | … | — | — | — | 1,150 |
| Irish Land Stations | … | 6,347 | 3,568 | — | — |
| Countries of consignment: | |||||
| Norway | … | — | 982 | — | — |
| Denmark | … | 415 | 1,285 | — | — |
| Germany | … | — | — | 1 | — |
| Netherlands | … | 2,765 | 6,179 | 105 | 612 |
| France | … | — | 1,831 | — | — |
| Switzerland | … | — | — | 1 | — |
| United States | … | — | — | 150 | 1,150 |
| Irish Free State | … | 14,572 | 16,678 | — | — |
| Canada | … | — | — | 75 | — |