§ 20. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to protect the British dairying industry from foreign competition, having regard to the fact that the imports of foreign butter were 1,233,000 cwt. in the first four months of 1934, as compared with 1,121,000 cwt. in the same period of 1933?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on 22nd February last with regard to the Government's milk policy. The Financial Resolution covering the proposals I then outlined will come up for consideration by the House to-morrow.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSAs the right hon. Gentleman's statements have indicated that the trouble is due to increasing Dominion imports, and these figures show that there is an increase of imports from foreign countries, does not this call for reconsideration on his part?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am not at all sure to what my hon. Friend is referring, but an opportunity for debate will arise to-morrow, and we shall then be very glad to meet that and other points.
Mr. HASLAMMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is bearing in mind the considerable increase in the imports of butter from the Netherlands, in view of the negotiations going on with that country?
§ Mr. ELLIOTCertainly, all those points are being borne in mind. The milk policy which has been outlined in the House is designed to raise the low level of prices, from whatever cause arising.
§ Mr. DAVID GRENFELLIs it not the case that there is a corresponding increase in the imports of butter from the Dominions as compared with the figures given in the question?
§ Mr. ELLIOTIt would not be advisable to debate that matter at Question Time, but we can go into it to-morrow.