§ 41. Mr. AMMONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the shortage of supply and increase in the cost of canned beef is due to the re-export of the article; and whether any steps are being taken to ensure that it is not supplied to the belligerants in the Italo-Abyssinian war?
§ Dr. BURGINI have no evidence in support of the suggestion in the first part of the question. Re-exports of canned beef in the first two months of this year represented only 1½ per cent. of the imports and were in fact less than in the corresponding period of 1934. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. The official records show that none of the re-exports in the first two months of this year was consigned to Italy, Italian East Africa or Abyssinia.
§ Mr. AMMONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend has 2942 already admitted that there is both a shortage and an increase in the price and at the same time there is no diminution in the imports? Where is it going?
§ Dr. BURGINThe increase in the price, which is the only matter with which I can deal in answer to a supplementary question, will, I think, be traced to the increased price ruling for the cattle from which this canned beef is produced.
§ Mr. AMMONThe hon. Gentleman must be aware, both from the communications that I have had from his Department and replies that I have had to questions, that there is an admitted shortage on the market and there is an increased price to the consumer of at least 2d. a lb. Is it not a fact that this is due to the operation of the three big multiple firms which are largely cornering the whole business?
§ Dr. BURGINI do not think that is a matter with which we can deal by question and answer. I have endeavoured to deal with the question of price.