HC Deb 02 July 1934 vol 291 cc1552-3
18. Mr. M0LS0N

asked the Minister of Agriculture what quantities of hops were shipped to Canadian cold-water ports in September, October, and November, 1933?

Mr. ELLIOT

I regret that I have no information as to the quantities of hops shipped from the United Kingdom to particular Canadian ports. The total quantities shipped to all Canadian ports during September, October and November, 1933, were as follow:—

Tons. Cwts.
September, 1933 2 12
October, 1933 2 7
November, 1933 12
Total 5 11
19. Mr. M OLSON

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in studying the report of the provisional Hop Committee, he has considered the effect on exports to Canada of the proposed prohibition of free sales until all firm contracts have been fulfilled or for 28 days after the beginning of trading; whether he will indicate, approximately, when under paragraph (7) free sales are likely to become permissible; and whether he is satisfied that this date is early enough to enable hops sold to Canada to be delivered before the St. Lawrence river is frozen?

Mr. ELLIOT

With regard to the first part of the question, my hon. Friend will appreciate that home brewers should have the first call on the home crop. As to the remainder of the question, I regret that it is not possible to give any indication of the probable date when general trading will begin under the agreement; this will depend on the date when the crop becomes available and the activity of the market. I am unable to say, therefore, whether hops purchased for delivery in Canada could reach that country before traffic on the St. Lawrence ceases.

Sir PERCY HARRIS

Is this one of the ways of encouraging our export trade?