§ 49. Sir C. CAYZERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, before the House rises for the Recess, he anticipates any decision by the Tariff Advisory Committee on the request by the British farmers for the imposition of an emergency duty on foreign butter?
§ Major ELLIOTI would draw my hon. Friend's attention to paragraph 17 of the Committee's first report, in which they indicated that pending among other things the discussions at Ottawa they did not anticipate that they would be in a position to form conclusions upon which to base any recommendations concerning commodities such as that to which he refers.
§ Sir C. CAYZERIs the hon. and gallant Member aware that the importation of foreign butter is likely to be greatly increased in the near future in view of the butter quotas in Germany, Switzerland and Belgium and that unless some action is taken the British butter industry will be seriously injured?
§ Major ELLIOTI fully appreciate the difficulties of the industry, but the whole subject is being comprehensively considered and it is impossible to take action. That was the position taken up by the Advisory Committee.
§ Sir C. CAYZERCannot the right hon. and gallant Member do something to accelerate progress in this matter?
§ Major ELLIOTI am afraid that I cannot expedite the Ottawa Conference.
§ Mr. LAMBERTMay I ask whether the Advisory Committee is considering these agricultural questions at all?
§ Major ELLIOTI do not think that question arises.