§ 45. Sir JOSEPH LAMBasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the large increase in the quantity of both eggs and poultry imported into this country during the first seven weeks of 1934 as compared with the same period in 1933; and if he can now state when the Commission appointed to consider the reorganisation of the poultry industry will issue their report?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)Official statistics of importations of eggs and poultry, as given in the Trade and Navigation Returns, are at present available only up to the end 1260 of January, 1934. They show that imports of eggs were greater in January, 1934, than in January, 1933, by some 11 per cent., but imports of poultry for January, 1934, were smaller by 24 per cent. than those for January, 1933. The very large figure which has been published relating to imports of poultry for the week ended 6th January, 1934, probably includes poultry imported at the end of the year 1933 but not accounted for until the week in question. As regards the second part of the question, it is not possible at this stage to say when the report may be expected.
§ Mr. HANNONIn view of the importance of the poultry industry, which now occupies the third place in agricultural production in this country, will the Minister exercise his powers and give it the same measure of protection as is given to other branches of agricultural production?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe Market Supply Committee has been considering an application by the poultry industry for the reduction of imports of eggs in shell. I have not yet seen their report.
§ Sir J. LAMBMay we take it, from the Minister's reply, that the Ministry have no statistics in regard to the first seven weeks of this year?
§ Mr. ELLIOTWe have statistics up to the end of January.