§ 66. Sir G. FOXasked the Minister of Agriculture if he can now state what have been the results of the discussions that took place during the past week with the representatives of bacon importing countries with regard to the continuance of restriction upon such imports?
§ Major ELLIOTThe discussions referred to are still in progress and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ 70. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to limit to a larger degree meat imports from foreign countries and Dominions with currencies depreciated in relation to sterling?
§ Major ELLIOTI appreciate the point of my right hon. Friend's question, but I would remind him that, apart from the Ottawa Agreements Act, there is no statutory power to impose any limitation on the quantities of meat imported from foreign countries. The Agreements made at Ottawa also govern the importation of meat from Dominion sources.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the depreciated currencies of Denmark, Australia and New Zealand represent something like 1½d. Per lb on meat, and that that is unfair competition with the British farmer?
§ Major ELLIOTI repeat that I have no power to impose any limitation on the quantities of meat imported.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs there anything in the arrangement come to at Ottawa to prevent my right hon. and gallant Friend entering into friendly negotiations with the Governments concerned and to point out to them the effect of the 628 matters referred to by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman on British farmers?
§ Major ELLIOTThere is nothing to prevent that, and we are taking depreciated exchanges into account in all the discussions that we are having.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman propose to ask the House to give him such powers in future?
§ Major ELLIOTI think that that is a hypothetical question.