§ 71. Major CARVERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the nature of the suggestions which have been made to his Department in favour of the adoption of any agreed-on scheme of relief for the barley growers of the country?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI understand that the National Farmers' Union have recently had under consideration certain proposals concerning imported foreign barleys, but these have not yet been brought before me.
§ Major CARVERIn view of the very low price for home-grown barley, will the right hon. Gentleman consider recommending an increased duty on foreign barley?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI think that my hon. and gallant Friend is aware that applications for increased duties must come before the Import Duties Advisory Committee.
§ 76. Mr. LIDDALLasked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the disappointing market so far for this season's malting barley, he will request brewers and maltsters to furnish annual returns of the quantity of home and imported barley, respectively, used by them?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI have no power to require brewers and maltsters to make returns of the quantities of home-grown and imported barley used by them. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the Brewers' Society have informed my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer that they have strongly recommended their members to continue to adhere to the undertaking given last year in regard to the purchase of home grown barley. Although the market for malting barley is reported to be slow at present, there is no reason for assuming 356 that the undertaking will not again be carried out or that it will not result in benefit to barley growers.