§ 75. Mr. LEES-JONESasked the Minister of Agriculture if he has received the report following the recent inquiry into the price of 1933 English hops, and when the report will be published?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe Committee of Investigation for England has reported to me that the evidence and arguments placed before it disclosed no justification for the complaint of the Brewers' Society with regard to the prices fixed by the Hops Marketing Board for 1933 English hops. The findings of the Committee are being communicated to the board and to the Brewers' Society, but I do not propose to publish the report.
§ 76. Mr. LEES-JONESasked the Minister of Agriculture if the Government contemplate putting a quota on the importation into this country of foreign hops; and whether the duty on foreign imported hops will cease to be imposed?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe Government have not under consideration the question of quantitative regulation of imports of hops. With regard to the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, I would refer him to the announcement, of which I am sending him a copy, concerning the import duty on hops, which was made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer when introducing the Budget last year.
§ 77. Mr. LEES-JONESasked the Minister of Agriculture if the price of English hops of 1933 growth is based on cost of production or on world market price?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe price of hops, as my hon. Friend will realise, is decided by the Hops Marketing Board on the information at their disposal, and I have no doubt that the board took all relevant factors into consideration.