§ 34. Brigadier-General NATIONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Import Duties Advisory Committee have 352 been unable to make any recommendation in regard to the two applications that have been made to them for an increased duty to be placed upon foreign-milled flour, and also that the importations of this class of flour into the United Kingdom during 1934 exceeded those of 1933 by 28 per cent. and were 15 times greater than similar imports in 1928, he will take any steps to prevent such flour from being imported at prices below those ruling in the country of manufacture?
§ Lieut.-Colonel J. COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)My right hon. Friend is fully aware of the facts relating to the importation of foreign flour, but, according to his information, imports in 1934 were some 13 per cent., not 15 times, greater than in 1928. If the industry think there are new facts that require to be taken into consideration in this connection, those facts can be brought to the notice of the Import Duties Advisory Committee.
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware that under the system of subsidy adopted in France for shipping flour to this country, French flour can be offered for sale here at prices far below those prevailing in France?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI understand that those facts will be laid before the Import Duties Advisory Committee if the industry decides to take the matter further.