HC Deb 29 May 1933 vol 278 cc1534-7
20. Mr. HALL-CALNE

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can indicate what has been the result of the conference called by him of London representatives of countries exporting butter and cheese to the United Kingdom with a view to the institution of a system of voluntary restriction upon the imports of such commodities?

22. Sir PERCY HURD

asked the Minister of Agriculture the result of his conversations with foreign and Dominion countries regarding the restriction of the exports of milk products to this country?

23. Captain P. MACDONALD

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can make any statement as to the result of his conference with foreign representatives in this country with regard to the possibility of reducing the imports of foreign processed milk?

25. Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWN

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can now make any statement as to the result of his negotiations with exporting countries with regard to the voluntary reduction of imports of milk products?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Major Elliot)

I have reason to believe that the foreign countries mainly concerned with the export to this market of cream, condensed whole milk, condensed skimmed milk and milk powder will agree, as an emergency measure designed to assist the milk industry of this country, to limit their exports of these products to the United Kingdom during the three months June, July and August next to an amount not exceeding 80 per cent. of the quantities shipped in the corresponding period last year, with a review each month of the market and supply position. Those foreign countries whose exports to this market are comparatively small have been asked to ensure that their shipments remain at previous low levels. I have every hope that the overseas Dominions, whose representatives I have consulted, will use their best endeavours to cooperate with us so far as they are con-cened with the export of these products. I have been in touch with the leading manufacturers in this country and have been assured that, having regard to these arrangements, there will no longer be any question of reducing their output. The position regarding other dairy products continues to receive close attention.

Mr. ATTLEE

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman thought of entering into conversations with people who are badly off in this country? Could he not arrange for a greater consumption of these products by the families of, say, the unemployed?

Brigadier-General BROWN

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend think that these measures which he has just taken will be adequate to save the dairy industry from almost immediate collapse; and is he aware that many of these manufacturers are now throwing up their contracts, and that farmers are suffering in consequence?

Major ELLIOT

I would call the attention of my hon. and gallant Friend specifically to my statement that I have been assured by the leading manufacturers that, having regard to these arrangements, there will no longer be any question of their reducing their output?

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Is it not the case that the policy of reducing these imports by 20 per cent. will only represent approximately 2 or 2½ per cent. of the total milk consumed in this country; and does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman believe that that is going to help agriculture very much?

Major ELLIOT

I am sure that the hon. Member will realise that to have secured an assurance from the skim milk manufacturers of this country that there is no longer any question of reducing their output will be regarded as a very sensible contribution to the prosperity of the milk industry and of farmers in this country.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, having considered all the implications of this voluntary restriction, state to the House that it is going to assist agriculture materially?

Major ELLIOT

Yes, Sir.

26. Captain TODD

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any further statement to make with regard to price-fixing arrangements under the milk marketing scheme?

Major ELLIOT

I have conferred with representatives of milk producers, manufacturers and distributors, including the consumers' co-operative movement, in regard to price-fixing arrangements under the projected milk marketing scheme, and I am gad to say that both sides have arranged to consider a procedure on the basis of Clause 11 of the Agricultural Marketing Bill as at present before the House. This procedure would ensure that prices and matters affecting prices should be discussed by a Joint Committee with equal voting representation of the Milk Marketing Board on the one hand and of distributors, including manufacturers, on the other, together with three independent members who will take part in the deliberations from the start. An undertaking has been given by the interests concerned that should agreement be reached they will use their powers or influence, as the case may. be, to secure the observance of the decisions of this Committee in regard to prices during the first year of the operation of the scheme. I have been given to understand that it would be the desire of the parties that I should nominate the independent members. Thus, the structural objectives of the Milk Commission would, in the main, be attained without recourse to special legislation which, as I informed the House, in reply to a question addressed to me on 3rd April, 1933, by the Noble Lord, the Member for Basingstoke (Viscount Lymington), the Government could not see its way to introduce. I should like to express the Government's appreciation of the good will which has been shown by all concerned. This agreement if reached should, I consider, greatly facilitate the proceedings at the public inquiry. It would obviously contribute to the smooth and successful working of the scheme if and when it comes into operation.

Sir HERBERT SAMUEL

If this board is to represent, on the one hand, the interests of producers and, on the other, those of consumers, ought not independent members to be nominated by some Minister who does not represent one of the two parties?

Major ELLIOT

I should hope the House would trust me to exercise my privilege of nomination.

Mr. McENTEE

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the workers in the industry, who have no representation at all?

Major ELLIOT

They are deeply concerned, and they will be closely concerned in the actual nominations of the industries themselves.