HC Deb 21 October 1937 vol 327 cc17-8
33. Mr. Mathers

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to make a statement of Government policy for the poultry industry?

35. Mr. Touche

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the Government's policy as regards the poultry industry?

36. Mr. F. 0. Roberts

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any further statement to make in relation to the poultry industry in this country?

39. Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now able to announce the policy to be adopted with regard to the poultry industry?

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

As the House will be aware, the Import Duties Advisory Committee have reported that they are unable to make any recommendation on the applications submitted to them by producers' organisations for increases in the existing duties on foreign eggs as it does not appear to the committee that the position of the industry could be improved by any increase under the Import Duties Act in the present duties. The report of the committee has created a new situation, and I shall he glad to examine carefully and sympathetically any practicable proposal's that the industry may put forward for improving its position.

Mr. Mathers

In these considerations will the right hon. Gentleman hear in mind how much more seriously the exclusive poultry farmer has been hit as compared with the mixed farmer to whom poultry is only an incidental item?

Mr. Morrison

I am aware of that consideration.

Mr. T. Williams

Is the report issued by the Advisory Committee available to hon. Members?

Mr. Morrison

I do not think it is available.

Mr. T. Williams

In view of the importance of this question to Members in all parts of the House, will the right hon. Gentleman consider making it available to hon. Members?

Mr. Morrison

I will look into the question but I do not think it has been a general custom to publish detailed reports of the Advisory Committee.

Mr. H. G. Williams

May I ask whether the Advisory Committee gave an explanation of their strange views?

Mr. George Griffiths

Do not poultry keepers feel that they are being starved out by the tariff policy of the Government?

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