§ 15. Sir PERCY HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture the present position as the result of his conversations with representatives of the Dominions regarding the importation of dairy produce into the United Kingdom?
§ Major ELLIOTAs regards imports of processed milks, the position is that the Dominions, whose representatives have been consulted, have indicated that, so far as they are concerned in the export of these products, they will do their best to co-operate in the steps that are now being taken to regulate imports into the United Kingdom. As regards other dairy products, my hon. Friend will be aware that the situation is engaging my attention, but I am not in a position to make a statement.
§ Sir P. HURDWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give a definition of what the Dominions mean by that phrase?
§ Major ELLIOTIt is a little difficult to give a definition, but, as I say, they are going to do their best to co-operate, and I am satisfied from the correspondence I have had with them that it will enable us to continue tinning milk in this country at the full power of the factories.
§ 25. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether at Ottawa it was known that Australian exporters of butter were provided with an export bounty of 3d. per lb.; and whether any action is now to be taken to protect the British butter producers from such competition?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)As regards the first part of the question, the facts as to the voluntary scheme to which I referred in the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 13th June, were within the knowledge of the United Kingdom Delegation at the Ottawa Conference. As regards the last part of the question, the hon. Member will be aware that the whole position as to the dairy produce situation in the United Kingdom has for some time been under review by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
§ Mr. LAMBERTHas the Dominions Secretary made any representations to the Australian Government with reference to this export bounty, plus depreciated currency, which gives them an unfair advantage in competition with our own farmers?
§ Mr. MacDONALDAll the facts were borne in mind at the Ottawa Conference.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESDoes the hon. Gentleman mean to say that he assents to the suggestion in the question that the Australian Government are paying a bounty of 3d. per lb. on butter coming into this country?
§ Mr. MacDONALDI do not think that that is the suggestion in the question, but in the answers I made it perfectly clear that it is a voluntary scheme.
Brigadier-General BROWNIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the fact that this matter is being reviewed does not help the dairy industry of this country?
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUELCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the statement of the United Kingdom Delegation at the World Economic Conference that all export bounties should be discontinued would apply in this case?
§ Mr. MacDONALDA question like that had better be addressed to somebody else.