HC Deb 27 March 1934 vol 287 cc1807-8
38. Mr. BOOTHBY

asked the Minister of Agriculture what further action the Government proposes to take in order to raise the price of beef to a remunerative level?

Mr. ELLIOT

Having regard to the continual depression in the market for fat cattle, the Government have decided that it will be necessary to maintain during the coming quarter the reduction of 50 per cent. in the supply of fat cattle from the Irish Free State and to stabilise the imports from that source of the other classes of cattle covered by the Cattle (Import Regulation) Order. As I have already informed the House, the rate of reduction in imports of foreign frozen meat in the coming quarter will be increased to 35 per cent. and a somewhat larger reduction will be arranged in imports of foreign chilled beef than in the same quarter of 1933.

Mr. BOOTHBY

When does my right hon. Friend think he will be in a position to introduce the most effectual remedy of all, namely, a tariff on meat imported into this country?

Mr. ELLIOT

Naturally I should not enter into controversy with my hon. Friend on this subject by means of question and answer. I would like to have his opinion as to whether it should apply to Dominion countries, or only to foreign.

Mr. D. GRENFELL

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered another alternative, such as increasing the purchasing power of the people by restoring the cuts?

Mr. ELLIOT

Yes, Sir; that is continually in the mind of the Government.