§ 30. Mr. BOOTHBYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the average wholesale price of oats in Germany during the year 1932 was 10s. 2d. per cwt., and of oats consigned from Germany and marketed in this country was 5s. 7½d.; whether he considers that the latter price is a remunerative one for Scottish farmers; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, subject to the observation that 5s. 7½d. was not the average price at which oats imported from Germany were marketed in this country, but the average declared value on importation which does not include import duty. The average price of oats in certain representative Scottish markets during the year 1932 was 7s. per cwt. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, as I indicated yesterday in my answers to the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. Stuart) I fully appreciate the seriousness of the situation with regard to oat prices in Scotland.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYCan my right hon. Friend say when he will be in a position to make some announcement with regard to the oat policy of the Government?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI cannot say when I shall be able to answer that question.