§ 18. Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in May, 1934, the retained imports of beef and veal amounted to 1,108,000 cwt. as compared with 1,043,000 cwt. in May, 1933, and 964,000 cwt. in May, 1932, when the restriction of beef imports had not commenced, and that of this total supplies from foreign countries totalled approximately 871,000 cwt. in May, 1934, 855,000 cwt. in May, 1933, and 899,000 cwt. in May, 1932; and whether he can now announce when he proposes to introduce an effective scheme for the reduction of the imports of foreign beef, so as to protect the British livestock industry from foreign competition?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am aware of the figures quoted in the first part of the question, which refer, however, to gross imports. With regard to the second part, the meat situation is receiving active attention, but I am not in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSCan my right hon. Friend indicate when this statement is likely to be made?
§ Mr. ELLIOTNo, I am afraid I cannot.
§ 34. Mr. LAMBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade if the Government has liberty under recent agreements 784 to impose a tariff on imported meat; and, if so, will legislation be proposed for the imposition of such duties as will enable the home meat producers to secure a reasonable remuneration for their labour and to pay a fair wage to the agricultural workers?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)Under our existing commitments no new or additional duties can be imposed on imported meat without the consent of the Dominions with whom agreements were made at Ottawa and of Argentina. As regards the latter part of the question, the position of the home meat industry is receiving careful consideration by the Departments concerned, but it is not possible at present to make any statement.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWhen will the Government resume liberty to deal with this subject?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the farmers are tired of consideration and that they want action?
§ 23. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of foreign chilled and frozen pork increased from 47,000 cwt. during the first five months of 1932 to 66,000 cwt. in the same period of 1933, and to 210,000 cwt. in the same period of 1934; and, as the Import Duties Advisory Committee are debarred from dealing with this commodity, will he announce his policy for dealing with this foreign competition in our pig industry?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the whole position as to supplies of meat, including pork, is being reviewed by the Government in the light of the recommendations of the Reorganisation Commission for Fat Stock, and I am not at present in a position to make any statement.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs my right hon. Friend aware that our meat producers are losing money every day, and that immediate action is necessary, and will he do something very rapidly?
§ Mr. ELLIOTSurely very drastic action with regard to the pig industry has been taken and is in force now.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman say from what foreign country or Dominion these increased imports of pork are coming?
§ Mr. ELLIOTNot without notice.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLWill the right hon. Gentleman accept the conclusion, from all these questions, that in agriculture things have continued to get worse and worse while this Government has been in office?