§ 41. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that the Netherlands conform to his request that they should make a reduction in their imports of eggs to this country?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)The attention of the Netherlands Government is again being called to the position.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs it not the case that the import of eggs from the Netherlands have gone up by 300 per cent., and cannot some more drastic action be taken?
§ Dr. BURGINThere has been an over-shipment and the attention of the Netherlands Government has been drawn to the fact. This should be sufficient in the circumstances.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND - TROYTECan we take it that these increased shipments will stop?
§ 9. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information that the large imports of eggs from the Netherlands during the first four months of this year were used as fresh eggs or cold stored; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent these eggs, and other foreign eggs, being sold as imported new-laid after being stored for a considerable time?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)As regards the first part of the question, I have no information as to what proportion of the Dutch eggs imported during recent months has been retailed as fresh eggs and what proportion has been put into cold store. As regards the concluding paragraph of the question, a recommendation by the Egg and Poultry Commission on the subject of marking cold stored imported eggs with the word "Stored," in addition to the indication of origin at present required, is under consideration.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs it not unfair that it should be permissible to sell foreign cold-stored eggs as new laid, while the English egg has to be marked?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSHow many inspectors will be required to make sure that these eggs are sold with the designation required?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI think that such a regulation could be enforced if it were statutory. There is no statutory power to make such a regulation at present.