§ 32. Lieut-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, in spite of the restrictions imposed, there has been practically no increase in the wholesale price of beef; and whether he proposes to take any further action in the immediate future to secure a remunerative price to producers?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the immediate future, the rate of reduction in imports of foreign frozen meat in the coming quarter will be increased to 35 per cent., and I hope to arrange a rather larger reduction in imports of foreign chilled beef than in the same quarter of 1933. The question of the number of fat cattle to be admitted from the Irish Free State is under consideration. As my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware, the present low level of prices is partly due to a heavy rate of marketing from home sources. The situation will be re-examined in the light of the report of the Fatstock Commission, which I expect shortly to receive.