HC Deb 03 May 1934 vol 289 cc480-1
58. Mr. H. WILLIAMS

asked the President of the Board of Trade the average c.i.f. value of butter imported from New Zealand and Soviet Russia, respectively, during March, including in the latter the amount of duty payable on importation?

Dr. BURGIN

During March, 1934, the average c.i.f. value per cwt. of imported butter consigned from New Zealand was £3 10s. 8d. and from the Soviet Union (including import duty of 15s. per cwt.) £2 19s. 11d.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Will the hon. Gentleman explain the discrepancy between these figures and those given by the President of the Board of Trade on Tuesday in respect of the same commodity?

Dr. BURGIN

I know of no discrepancy at all.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Having regard to the fact that the figures given on Tuesday differ by only 1s. a cwt. and these differ by 12s., can the hon. Gentleman explain that difference?

Dr. BURGIN

What I would like to tell the House is that the quantity from the Soviet Union was £30,000 and the quantity from New Zealand was £1,270,000.

59. Sip G. FOX

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present price of New Zealand and Danish butter, c.i.f., landed here and the equivalent wholesale price for consumption of such butter per cwt. in New Zealand and Denmark, respectively?

Dr. BURGIN

During March, 1934, the average c.i.f. value per cwt. of imported butter consigned from New Zealand was £3 10s. 8d. and from Denmark (excluding import duty of 15s. per cwt.) was £3 13s. 7d. No information is available as to the actual wholesale price of butter in New Zealand, but I understand from the High Commissioner that prices in New Zealand are based on the London quotations. The minimum price of butter for consumption in Denmark is fixed by law at 215 kroner per 100 kilogrammes, or about 97s. 6d. per cwt.

Sip G. FOX

Can the Minister explain why there is a discrepancy compared with the figures given on Monday, when it was said that the price in regard to matters raised by my hon. Friends will Denmark was about 54s. per cwt.?

Dr. BURGIN

I think that the price given on that date was probably an export price. The matter is being investigated. The Danish minimum price of 97s. 6d. per cwt. to which I have referred was fixed in December, 1933, at a time when the price in London was 114s. 6d. per cwt.

Sir G. FOX

Were the figures correct with regard to the price of butter in Holland?

Dr. BURGIN

That is quite another matter.