§ 33. Mr. W. ROBERTSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the duty of £4 per ton on agricultural fertilisers, including sulphate of ammonia, synthetic sodium nitrate, ammonium phosphates, and compound fertilisers containing these and other ingredients, does not operate detrimentally to the interests of agriculturists; and whether there is any definite security that the prices paid by agriculturists for these fertilisers will not be higher than they would have paid had the duty not been imposed?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, since the duty was imposed as the result of an agreement between representatives of the agricultural industry and of the fertiliser manufacturers. With regard to the second part, the manufacturers have give an undertaking which lays down a procedure for discussion with representatives of the agricultural industry and for submission to the Import Duties Advisory Committee of any proposals for an increase in the price of these fertilisers.
§ Mr. de ROTHSCHILDIs it not a fact that the National Farmers' Union, in their last report, complained bitterly of the effect of this taxation on fertilisers, and does that fact agree with the statement of the Minister?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI do not think that anything could more fully agree with the statement of the Minister than the information which I have from the Natiorlal Farmers' Union.
Duchess of ATHOLLIs the Minister aware that the arrangement was come to without consultation with the Scottish Farmers' Union?
§ Mr. ELLIOTIt has been indicated that there will be no objection to the Scottish Farmers' Union becoming also parties to it.
§ Mr. de ROTHSCHILDDoes the Minister wish the House to understand that the National Farmers' Union agree with this taxation on fertilisers?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI have done my best to state it twice. I will state it a third time. The duty was imposed as a result of agreement between representatives of the agricultural industry and the fertiliser manufacturers.
§ Mr. de ROTHSCHILDIs it not a fact that the National Farmers' Union have since complained?