HC Deb 12 February 1934 vol 285 cc1573-5
23. Mr. LAMBERT

asked the Minister of Agriculture if it is the intention of the Government so to restrict the import of oversea milk products as to enable the Milk Marketing Board to return a reasonable price to the home producers?

Mr. ELLIOT

The desirability of a reasonable price return to the home producer is being kept closely in mind by the Government, but I am afraid I cannot add anything further to the answer which I gave my right hon. Friend on 5th February.

Mr. LAMBERT

Will my right hon. Friend kindly answer the question on the Paper: whether it is the intention of the Government so to restrict the import of oversea milk products as to enable the Milk Marketing Board to return a reasonable price to the home producers?

Mr. ELLIOT

I am afraid it would be quite impossible for me to answer piecemeal questions as to the intentions of the Government. This, with all other relevant factors, is being kept under review.

Mr. LAMBERT

That is not a piecemeal question. Is it not a direct question as to the intentions of the Government?

Mr. ELLIOT

I am sure my right hon. Friend, who is better acquainted with these questions than almost anybody else in the House, will agree that this question, by itself, is not complete, and would not allow of a complete answer to the difficulties of the milk producers at the present day.

Earl WINTERTON

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the milk producers in the Southern counties are in a state of greater anxiety than ever before in the history of the industry; and will he consider at the earliest possible date making some statement to allay their anxiety in order that they may know what the future policy of the Government is going to be?

Mr. ELLIOT

The question of my right hon. Friend which I answered indicated that I fully realise the necessity of making a statement at an early date, in view especially of the fact that the determinations have to be made before the end of this month. I can assure my right hon. Friend that there will be no delay in coming to a conclusion and making a decision.

Mr. THORNE

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the import of milk makes any material difference to the selling price of milk in this country?

Mr. ELLIOT

It is impossible, I am afraid, to discuss the whole policy at Question Time, and I must ask my hon. Friend not to press me on that point.