§ 51. Sir PERCY HURDasked the President of the Board of Trade the result of his representations to foreign Governments regarding their failure to observe the limitations of exports of food products to this country, as laid down in gentlemen's agreements; and whether, in the total shipments of the year, these limitations will be respected?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the arrangements in regard to imports of eggs in shell. I should explain that there are no definite quotas, but that, while the response of foreign countries to the request that they would limit their exports of eggs to this country voluntarily has not resulted in reduced imports in all cases, the imports of eggs so far this year from most foreign countries have shown a substantial reduction. As regards the last part of the question, every effort is being, and will be, made to secure a satisfactory response to the proposals made to foreign exporting countries.
§ Sir P. HURDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether we are representing to the Netherlands Government that this year should see the introduction of the quota which was voluntarily agreed to by them?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot say whether representations of that nature have been made, but communications have passed between ourselves and that Government.
§ Sir P. HURDWill the right hon. Gentleman make such representations so that the agreement can be observed?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI will consider that matter.
§ 29. Sir GIFFORD FOX (for Mr. LENNOX-BOYD)asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what revenue would have been derived if an import duty of 4d. a pound had been imposed on liquid and frozen eggs from China during 1934?
§ Mr. COOPERIt is impossible to estimate what effect so heavy a duty as 4d. per pound would have had on imports of liquid or frozen eggs, or on the revenue derived from them.