§ 64. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture what further steps he proposes to take to assist the livestock industry, in view of the fact that the imports of beef and mutton in February, 1933, were greater than in January, 1933, and than in February, 1932, and that the daily average during February, 1933 was practically the same as for the daily average of the whole of 1932?
§ Major ELLIOTImports of chilled and frozen beef were less in February, 1933, than in either January, 1933, or Feb 2137 ruary, 1932. Imports of mutton and lamb, on the other hand, were greater, the difference being attributable to increased imports from the Dominions. I would remind my hon. Friend that the undertaking given by Australia and New Zealand at Ottawa to limit their shipments related to the year 1933 as a whole and it will, therefore, be appreciated that a comparison of one particular month with another has no special significance.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSMay I ask whether it is not the case that the emergency arrangements the right hon. Gentleman announced last December applied to the imports during the early months of this year, and why it is in those circumstances that imports of mutton were so abnormally high during February?
§ Major ELLIOTI shall be happy to discuss the matter with my hon. Friend afterwards. I think it is very difficult to deal with these complicated matters by question and answer.