§ 22. Sir GIFFORD FOXasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the importation of Finnish horses now being advertised for sale in Northern papers; how many of these horses have been imported from Finland in the last year; and how their price compares with the equivalent English horse?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am aware of a Press report on the recent presentation for sale at Glasgow of a consignment of 30 horses from Finland, of which nine were sold. The report states that the prices realised for these nine horses ranged from 23 guineas to 44 guineas. The consignment referred to was presumably imported this month, since no horses were imported from Finland during January to March of this year. The total number of horses imported from Finland in 1935 was 25. I have no information as to the prices realised for these horses, but their average declared value on importation was about £27. I understand that the prices at recent sales of home-bred horses of a similar type have ranged from £40 to £68.
§ Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSHas the right hon. Gentleman received any reports of a shortage of heavy draught horses?
§ Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHSIs it a fact that these horses were bought for the mines by the coalowners, so that their profits could be swollen?