§ 38. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Agriculture, whether he has information as to the proportions of the imported meat sold in the Smithfield market which is controlled by shippers and companies of foreign origin.
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Captain Crookshank)I have been asked to reply. The precise information desired is not available, but it is understood that some three-fifths of the total quantity of foreign chilled and frozen beef marketed in the United Kingdom is shipped and imported by companies of foreign origin. The remainder is imported by British companies mainly on their own account, and to a small extent as agents for national undertakings in the exporting countries. Mutton and lamb imported into the United Kingdom is mainly of Empire origin, and, so far as I am aware, foreign firms control only a minor share of that trade.
§ Mr. LAMBERTDo the Government propose to take any action? Is there any other country in the world in which three-fifths of the meat supplies are controlled by foreign firms?