36. Mr. J. P. L. THOMASasked the Minister of Agriculture the total imports of bacon from Poland and Lithuania, respectively, for each of the years 1929, 1930, and 1931?
§ Sir J. GILMOURImports of bacon from Poland into the United Kingdom for the years in question were 305,453 cwt., 483,295 cwt., and 1,076,610 cwt. respectively, while those from Lithuania were 5,366 cwt., 73,333 cwt., and 362,381 cwt.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLSeeing the enormous quantity of bacon which is imported from these countries, does not the right hon. Gentleman think 17 the time has arrived when something ought to be done to assist the bacon industry in this country?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, Sir, and I hope very shortly to deal with that problem.
37. Mr. THOMASasked the Minister of Agriculture the wholesale price at which bacon imported from Denmark, Poland, and Lithuania is sold in this country; whether the Governments of any of these three countries pay subsidies to the exporters of bacon; and, if so, what is the amount of these subsidies?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe wholesale price of 1st quality Danish green bacon last month was about 54s. per cwt., the price of Polish and Lithuanian being about 8s. to 10s. per cwt. lower. As regards the question of the payment of subsidies by the Governments of these three countries to bacon exporters the latest information in my possession is as follows:
No subsidy is paid by the Dansh Government. In the case of Lithuania the Government at one time had an agreement with the "Maistas" Company to bear up to 75 per cent. of any losses incurred by the company on the export of bacon and pork, but I have no information as to whether this arrangement has since been varied. The Polish Government pays no subsidy but exporters of bacon receive a certificate at the rate of 25 Zloty per 100 kilograms (about 8s. per cwt. at the current rate of exchange) of the product exported, to be used in payment of import duties.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENAlthough those Governments do not give a direct subsidy, do not they contribute to the transport charges, by way of hiding the subsidy which they actually give?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI should require notice of that question.