§ 39. Mr. GRAHAM WHITEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the serious position of the export trade in ships' biscuits, owing to the incidence of the wheat quota; and what steps he proposes to take to help this industry to regain this trade?
§ Mr. ELLIOTRepresentations have been made to me from time to time, by persons concerned with the export trade in ships' biscuits, in favour of refunding quota payments made under the Wheat Act, 1932, on flour used in the manufacture of ships' biscuits which are 524 subsequently exported. The matter has been given most careful consideration, but it has not so far been found possible to overcome the practical difficulties involved.
§ Mr. WHITEIs the right hon. Gentleman's mind finally closed on this matter, or is he prepared to give further consideration to it in order to arrive at some scheme of drawback?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI would be very ready to examine any scheme which my hon. Friend brought forward. I know the difficulties.
Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENIs it beyond the wit of the Ministry of Agriculture to discover a formula which would define the contents of ships' biscuits?
§ Mr. ELLIOTWe are very stupid people in Agriculture, and we hope to get some assistance from the hon. and gallant Gentleman.