§ 37. Mr. PIKEasked the Minister of Agriculture if lie is aware of the continued fall in wholesale prices of Chinese frozen egg and egg-pulp products, and that the prevailing prices are £33 per ton below those obtaining in December last; and if, in view of such reductions, he will take steps to afford to British producers an opportunity of fair competition upon the home market?
§ Major ELLIOTI understand that there has recently been a fall in prices of Chinese frozen liquid eggs, though in the absence of market quotations I am unable to confirm the figure referred to. My hon. Friend will be aware that under the Agricultural Marketing Bill, the Government is seeking power to regulate imports of eggs if that course is shown to be necessary to enable the reorganisation of the home industry to be fully effected under a marketing scheme. In this connection, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have, at present, under consideration a request from the industry for the constitution of a Reorganisation Commission to prepare schemes for the marketing of eggs and poultry under the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931.
§ Mr. PIKEWill the Minister of Agriculture bear in mind the fact that 998 the present price of the Chinese commodity in the home market is about £11 per ton below the cost of production of the British commodity with a view to giving some protection to the home producer?