§ 26. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state in sterling the selling prices in this country and in the country of origin of butter from Denmark, Holland, Russia, and New Zealand, respectively?
§ 24. Mr. DREWEasked the President of the Board of Trade the domestic price of butter in Denmark and also the price at which it is exported to Great Britain?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWith regard to Denmark and Holland I would refer my hon. Friends to the answers given yesterday to the hon. Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd). The wholesale price in this country on 21st April of Russian butter was 68s. per cwt. and of New Zealand butter 69s. Information as to the wholesale prices of butter in Russia and New Zealand is not available.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that prices in the country of origin are three and four times the amount of the price of butter sold in this country, and does he not think that this is getting very near 134 dumping, if it is not altogether dumping, and that action should be taken as soon as possible?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have pointed out in the answer I have given that there is only 1s. per cwt. difference in the price of Russian butter and New Zealand butter.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWhat is the price of butter in Russia? Is it not 25s. per lb.?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENNobody in Russia can have butter.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSCan my right hon. Friend say whether the wholesale price of Russian butter is the same as the c.i.f. value?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot say without notice.
§ Sir BASIL PETOCan the right hon. Gentleman say why it is impossible to get information on such a simple question as the wholesale price of butter from one of our Dominions?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWe can get the information perfectly well, but I have not been asked for it.