HC Deb 18 February 1937 vol 320 cc1367-8
82. Mr. de Rothschild

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the representations he has received on behalf of the poultry industry that legislation should be introduced to improve the marketing of eggs, including the restriction of the designation new laid to home produce, the marking of all imported eggs with the country of origin, and the amendment of the Food and Drugs Act with reference to the sale of eggs, he proposes to take steps to implement any of these recommendations?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

I would refer the hon. Member to recent replies with regard to the proposals to which he refers, and in particular to the reply given on 8th February to my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for the Chatham Division of Rochester (Captain Plugge) and to that given yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd). I am sending the hon. Member copies of these two replies. The administration of the Food and Drugs Act is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, who is to-day replying on the subject to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Newbury (Brigadier-General Brown).

Mr. de Rothschild

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him whether he is making any progress with the promise he gave to Members of all parties that, on the question of eggs, he would consult Members of all parties on that subject?

Mr. Morrison

My offer remains open, and if hon. Members care to invite me to address them I shall be delighted to do so. I might say, in answer to the hon. Gentleman's question, that the importation of eggs in the three weeks ending on 6th February last was 25 per cent, below the level of the corresponding period of last year.

Mr. Turton

Is the Minister aware that, unless some action is taken very soon, many small men will be forced into bankruptcy?

Mr. H. G. Williams

Can my right hon. Friend say what was the reason for the substantial increase in January?

Mr. Morrison

It was due entirely to the abnormal weather.

83. Mr. Kennedy

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered recent communications circulated by the representatives of the poultry industry asking for protection against the importation of cheap foreign and Dominion eggs into the British market, and the substantial increase in the wholesale cost of the principal feeding-stuffs used for poultry; and whether the Government propose to take any action?

Mr. Morrison

I would refer the hon. Member to recent replies on this subject by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and myself, to which I have nothing to add.

Captain Heilgers

Has there been any substantial fall in the imports from South America?

Mr. Morrison

I could not say without notice, but, as I said just now, the importations recently are 25 per cent, lower than they were last year.