HC Deb 28 October 1937 vol 328 cc248-9
60. Sir J. Mellor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish the report of the Import Duties Advisory Committee with regard to eggs in shell and table poultry which was announced by the Treasury in the Board of Trade Journal of 7th October?

Sir J. Simon

Under Section 2 (4) of the Import Duties Act, 1932, all recommendations made to the Treasury by the Import Duties Advisory Committee must be published. In the case to which my hon. Friend refers no recommendation was made to the Treasury, and I have nothing to add to the terms of the Press notice, of which he is already aware. As stated therein, the Committee indicated that, after consideration, they had been unable to make any recommendation on the applications submitted to them by producers' organisations for increases in the duties on eggs in shell and table poultry, as it did not appear to the committee that the position of the industry could be improved by an increase under the Import Duties Act in the present duties.

Sir J. Mellor

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable anxiety to have an explanation of that rather astonishing statement?

Sir J. Simon

I think I have answered the point about which my hon. Friend inquired. I appreciate the importance of the matter, but the fact is that on this occasion the committee did not make recommendations.

Sir J. Nall

Does that not amount to giving a negative report.

Mr. Emmott

Did the report of this committee contain the reasons for their conclusion, or did it merely state that conclusion?

Sir J. Simon

I would refer the hon. Member to the Press notice issued by the Treasury.

Mr. Shinwell

Ought not the deliberations of such an important body, whether on a trade question or an agricultural issue, be made public?