22. Mr. HASLAMasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the considerable increase in the imports of foreign barley into this country, particularly from Russia, during January, 1934, as compared with the corresponding month in 1933; whether the Government is prepared to take steps to preserve the British barley grower from the effects of this foreign dumping and to bring barley within the scope of the Marketing Acts, and to regulate imports?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I would remind my hon. Friend, however, that during the present cereal year the price of home-grown barley has been considerably higher than during the last few years. No action by the Government is required to bring barley within the scope of the Agricultural Marketing Acts. The initiative in this matter rests with the producers.
§ Mr. R. W. SMITHIs the right hon. Gentleman considering the question of pearl barley, about which he gave an undertaking at Aberdeen a month ago?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThat does not arise out of the question.
Mr. HASLAMAre the Government taking into consideration the very hard times, owing to the depression, that the barley growers have had?