§ 32. Lieut.-Commander AGNEWasked the Minister of Agriculture what immediate emergency action he proposes to take to secure better prices to producers of eggs in this country?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that in addition to the Import Duties already imposed, the Government took action as far back as the middle of March with a view to holding the egg import situation. During the four months to the middle of July total imports of eggs in shell were some 7 per cent. lower than in the corresponding period of last year. As regards prices, I would point out that the average London wholesale price of National Mark Standards on Monday last was 12s. 9d. per 120 eggs, which was the price ruling at the corresponding date in 1933.
§ Lieut.-Commander AGNEWIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, great as the Government's action must have been in this matter, the final result is not entirely satisfactory, and that the majority of egg producers are men of limited resources who cannot wait for a long time and require some emergency and immediate action to be taken?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am not suggesting that this is the final action of the Government, and as for prices I was pointing out that the price was the same as it was this time last year.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs there no hope of any action, because the matter is urgent, and men are being forced out of the business because of the low prices for eggs and poultry?
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLDoes the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that anything that the Government can do will cope with the effort made by the domestic hen to improve her output of eggs?