§ 26. Mr. DREWEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the depression in the poultry industry, he will be prepared to make an order to ensure that all eggs imported in shell that have been cold-stored or subjected to other preserving process shall be marked with the apposite description?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)I have no power to make an Order with the object indicated. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, however, reorganisation commissions are now engaged in examining the whole question of the future organisation of the egg and poultry industry in this country, and I understand that the commissions have received numerous representations on the subject of the marking of imported cold-stored eggs.
§ Mr. DREWEIn view of the long delay over this report, will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to take some interim action?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThings that require legislation can only be dealt with if I can get an Act passed before the House rises, and I cannot promise to do that.
§ Mr. THORNEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of prohibiting the import of all kinds of liquid eggs between now and the next General Election?
§ 27. Mr. DREWEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that 54,876 long hundreds of eggs were imported from Turkey recently and sold at 3s. 10d. a long hundred, which is estimated to be one-third of the cost of production in this country: and whether he is prepared to protect the home producer against such competition?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am aware that quantities of eggs recently imported from Turkey were sold at very low prices, but I am advised that the circumstances of these importations were exceptional and further consignments of a similar character are unlikely. The question of the action to be taken by way of import control when the present arrangements expire on 14th September next is under consideration, but I am not in a position to make a statement.