HC Deb 09 July 1934 vol 292 cc8-9
13. Sir PERCY HURD

asked the Minister of Agriculture how the market prices of eggs in June compare with those of a year ago; whether there was an increase or decrease of total imports; and whether he will approach Denmark and other countries to secure a further limitation of imports, if necessary, under the powers of the Marketing Act, 1933?

Mr. ELLIOT

The average wholesale price of National Mark Standard English eggs was 10s. 10d. per 120 in June, 1934; 11s. 5d. in 1933; 10s. 8d. in 1932; and 10s. 6d. in 1931. First quality English eggs other than National Mark averaged 9s. 9d. in June, 1934, compared with 10s. in each of the previous three years. The official import statistics for June of this year are not yet available, hut, according to information published by the Imperial Economic Committee, recorded imports of eggs in shell in the four weeks ended 30th June last were about 7¾ per cent. greater than in the corresponding period of last year. Total imports of eggs in shell during the fifteen weeks 18th March to 30th June, however, were some 500,000 great hundreds, or 10 per cent. lower than imports in the corresponding period of 1933. The action to be taken to regulate imports of eggs after the present standstill arrangement expires on 14th September next is under consideration.

16. Mr. HASLAM

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any figures showing the effect on the amount of imports of eggs not in shell owing to the change of duties made last May?

Mr. ELLIOT

The figures of imports for the month of June are not yet avail-able, but in any case it would, I think, be too early to determine whether the change in duties made in May had affected the volume of imports. I would remind my hon. Friend that the new specific rates are those which appeared to the Import Duties Advisory Committee to be approximately equivalent to the former rate of 10 per cent. ad valorem.

Mr. HASLAM

Has my right hon. Friend duly noted the very large increase in eggs from China which has occurred in the first five months of this year?