§ 63. Sir ROBERT GOWERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there are, approximately, 500,000 persons in England and Wales, and 50,000 in Scotland, who are connected with the egg-producing industry, the livelihood of many of whom is in jeopardy on account of the increase in imports of foreign eggs to this country; and whether he will consider the matter of taking further steps to restrict such imports as one of urgency, pending the receipt by him of the report of the reorganisation committee?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe importance of the poultry industry in Great Britain is fully appreciated by my fight hon. Friend. Pending the receipt of the Reorganisation Commission's report, it is not proposed to take further steps to regulate imports of eggs.
§ Sir J. LAMBMay I ask whether steps are being taken to get an interim report on eggs and poultry?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI must have notice of that question.
§ Sir ROBERT HAMILTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been an exceptional importation of eggs?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo, and I think the fact is that in recent weeks there has been a fall.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENDoes not my right hon. Friend realise that while we are waiting for the report poultry keepers have to feed their hens?
§ Colonel GRETTONCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the report will be ready?
§ 64. Sir R. GOWERasked the Minister of Agriculture to which foreign Governments he sent his request that they should limit their exports of eggs to this market as from 15th March; if replies have been received from any such Gov- 1877 ernments or from the Government of the Irish Free State, respectively, to such request, and to what effect; and if there has been any reduction in imports as from 15th March, and to what extent?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAn invitation to limit exports of eggs to the United Kingdom market from 15th March to 14th September was extended to all foreign countries whose interest in the United Kingdom egg market during that period is material. Assurances of co-operation have been received from Denmark, Finland, Norway, Hungary and Japan, and in regard to supplies from China. A similar assurance has been received from the Irish Free State. Further representations are being made to the Governments of those countries which have not yet agreed. Imports from all the important suppliers of eggs to the United Kingdom have been appreciably less since the 15th March than in the corresponding period last year. Total recorded imports from all sources into the principal ports in Great Britain were about 929,000 great hundreds in the four weeks ended 14th April as compared with 1,411,000 great hundreds in same weeks in 1933, a decrease of 34 per cent.
§ Major COLFOXCan my right hon. Friend say which of the foreign countries concerned have an export bounty on eggs so as to reduce the price in this country below the price in their own country?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI cannot say without notice.
§ Mr. MANDERThe Irish Free State is mentioned. Do I understand that an invitation was extended to the British Dominions or to some of them in this matter?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI am not aware that the British Dominions are large importers of eggs into this country at this time.