HC Deb 31 October 1932 vol 269 cc1426-7
33. Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the recently increased duties on foreign potatoes are sufficient to prevent an undue amount of importation; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Major ELLIOT

The answer to the question raised by my hon. and gallant Friend must necessarily be a matter of opinion. The matter is, I suggest, hardly one that can properly be dealt with within the limit of question and answer, and I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that he will have an opportunity of raising it during the discussion on the Resolution now on the Order Paper, affirming the Treasury Order under which the duties were imposed.

Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the opinion of the Scottish potato growers is that nothing short of complete prohibition will suffice?

Major ELLIOT

All that my hon. and gallant Friend asked was whether the duties were sufficient to prevent an undue amount of importation, not whether they were sufficient to bring about complete prohibition.