37. Mr. Liddellasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the possibility of making it compulsory upon maltsters and brewers to make a return of the price paid for home-grown malting barley and the quantity used?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Lieut.-Colonel Colville)I have been asked to reply. Returns of purchases of home-grown barley for malting and brewing are already furnished annually by the Brewers' Society to the Import Duties Advisory Committee, and are published. The Committee have also power to require returns of prices, if they think fit. In view of the amount of attention which the Committee have given to this matter, I do not think that any action on my part is called for.
§ Major BraithwaiteDoes not my right hon. and gallant Friend think it time his Department asked for these prices, which all the agricultural interests in the country have been asking for in the past three years?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleThe Import Duties Advisory Committee have the power, if they so desire, to ask for these prices, but I do not propose to press them, in view of the interest which they are taking already in this matter.