HC Deb 28 April 1936 vol 311 cc718-20
34. Mr. BOOTHBY

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the necessity of increasing the supply of home-grown beef and of the present unremunerative wholesale price, His Majesty's Government will insist on the revision or denunciation of the present Argentine and Ottawa Agreements?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on 4th February. As the House is aware, informal discussions on the subject of meat and, in general, the revision of the Anglo-Argentine Trade Agreement are at present proceeding with the Argentine Government.

Mr. BOOTH BY

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the great interest felt in the House on this question, and can he give an undertaking that the House will be informed of the intention of the Government before we rise for the Summer Recess?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am well aware of the interest taken in these matters not only in the House, but outside. We shall certainly not do anything which is not in conformity with the view of the House.

Mr. THURTLE

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, in view of the poverty existing in the country, that it is very necessary to keep the price of meat as low as possible?

36. Mr. LAMBERT

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take for the termination of the Anglo-Argentine trade agreement in October next if no agreement is made for its revision in the meantime?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I regret that I am not at present in a position to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. G. Williams) and the hon. and gallant Member for Penrith and Cockermouth (Captain Dower), on 21st April.

Mr. LAMBERT

May we have some information as to what will happen if no agreement is arrived at when the Anglo-Argentine Agreement is terminated?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I do not despair of effecting an agreement which will be satisfactory to both sides.

Mr. LAMBERT

Assuming that no agreement is arrived at, what will be the position?

Mr. HOLDSWORTH

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there are other than agricultural interests involved in this question, and that it is important to the manufacturing interests of this country that special attention should be given to them?

Mr. EVERARD

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is generally understood among the agricultural interests of the country that the Government are going to take the earliest possible steps to alter this Agreement, which could be altered within a week?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I think that my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. We cannot arrive at an agreement by simply imposing the view of one side.