23. Lieut.-Colonel KERRasked the President of the Board of Trade the average wholesale prices of lard in the United Kingdom, month by month, for January, February and March, 1931, 1932 and 1933?
§ Dr. BURGINAs the answer contains a table of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the table :
§ According to quotations in the "Grocer" the average wholesale price in the United Kingdom of American lard in January, February and March, 1931, 1932 and 1933 was as follows :
| — | 1931. | 1932. | 1933. | |||
| Per cwt. (in boxes). | ||||||
| s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | |
| January | 49 | 7 | 46 | 5 | 44 | 11 |
| February | 46 | 4 | 46 | 3 | 39 | 8 |
| March | 50 | 3 | 44 | 3 | 41 | 7 |
§ Quotations for home produced lard are not available.
24. Lieut.-Colonel KERRasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that British bacon producers are being obliged, owing to the prevailing low prices, to sell their fat to soap manufacturers rather than render it into lard, and that the restrictions on the import of lard into Continental countries have the effect of increasing the quantity of foreign lard sent to the United Kingdom; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this situation?
§ Dr. BURGINI have no definite information in regard to the first part of the question. I am aware that the importation of lard into this country increased in 1933 owing, no doubt, in part, to the restrictions to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. I would, however, point out that imports in February and March of this year were below the average of recent years. The position is being kept under review.
Lieut.-Colonel KERRIs the hon. Gentleman aware that so late as 7th April the price per cwt., landed duty paid, was 31s. 6d. and on 2nd May was only 23s., and will he take steps to have an inquiry into the cause of this serious fall in price in so short a time?