§ 24. Mr. BOOTHBYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government will take immediate steps to prohibit the importation of oat products which are subsidised by foreign Governments?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, Sir. I would remind my hon. Friend that the duty on foreign oat products was increased to 7s. 6d. per cwt. as recently as the 13th January last.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYIs my right hon. Friend not aware that the importation of oats and oat products subsidised by the German Government has broken the price of oats and oat products in spite of the duty, and is he not going to take any steps to deal with the position?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe recommendation was made by the advisory committee and accepted by the Government.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYDoes my right hon. Friend think that in cases where the importation of goods is subsidised by foreign Governments they are matters not for the advisory committee, but for direct action by the Government?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, I cannot accept that view.