§ 62. Mr. PERKINSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will considerably reduce the quota of meat allocated to the Argentine in order to help the British farmer?
§ Mr. ELLIOTProvision for substantial and progressive reductions in imports of frozen meat from foreign countries, including the Argentine, during the period January, 1933, to June, 1934, is made in the Ottawa Agreements, and for the maintenance of the rate of reduction then attained for the remainder of the five-year period covered by the Agreements. In the case of chilled beef from foreign countries, the quantities agreed at Ottawa have been subject to emergency reductions in each quarter since the end of 1932, amounting on the average to about 10 per cent. over the 12 months. The conditions of the meat market are being kept under constant review and the Government will continue, as hitherto, to take such steps as they consider desirable and practicable to meet the needs of the situation.
§ Mr. PERKINSIs my right hon. Friend aware that the price that the farmer is now receiving is appreciably lower than it was two years ago, before the Government took office, and is he entirely satisfied with this?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI would not say that I am entirely satisfied or indeed satisfied at all with the present situation, but we must take such steps as we consider desirable and practical to meet it.
§ Mr. PERKINSBut when does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take these steps?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI have taken a good many fairly drastic steps already.