DUTCH BULBS (IMPORT). (Hansard, 5 December 1938)

§ 39 and 40. Mr. Butcher
asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he will give figures showing the increase during recent months in the importation to this country of bulbs from the Netherlands and other countries; and what steps he is taking to protect the British bulb industry;
(2) the present import duties levied on bulbs; whether these operate to encourage the British bulb industry; and how they compare with the duties on other horticultural products such as rose trees, plants and shrubs?

§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)
As the reply includes tables of

(1) Statement showing number of Bulbs imported into the United Kingdom from the under-mentioned countries in the months July to October of the years 1935, 1936, 1937 and 1938.

Millions.

Country whence consigned. 1935 1936. 1937(a). 1938(a)

British Countries … 10.8 7.6 7.3 8.6

Netherlands … 609.1 622.2 647.7 797.8

Other foreign Countries … 18.2 24.2 25.5 19.3

Total … 638.1 654.0 680.5 825.7

(a) Provisional figures.

(2) Statement showing the duties on imported bulbs and certain other horticultural products.

Class or Description of Goods. Rate of Duty.

Bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes 10 per cent. ad valorem.

Plants, flowers, etc. (but not including dried follage, dried flowers, dried plants or dried roots, being follage, flowers, plants or roots of the kinds (when dried) used solely for the manufacture of drugs or medicines):

(i) Flowering plants(other than plants in flower) and roots of flowering plants (excluding crowns and roots of lily of the valley). 6d. per lb.

(ii) Trees and shrubs (excluding rose trees, fruit trees, azalea indica and sweet bays) whether with bare or balled roots, other than in flower. £1 per cwt.

(iii) Plants, trees and shrubs (excluding rose trees and fruit trees) in flower. 9d. per lb.

(iv) Rose Trees:

(a) Standard trees including half standards, quarter standards and weeping standards. £5per 100.

(b) Other descriptions £1 5s. per 100.

(v) Fruit Trees and fruit stocks £1 per cwt.

858 figures, I propose to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

§ Lieut.-Commander Fletcher
Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the announcement that the Dutch bulb growers are making a present of bulbs to our Government to celebrate the latter's contribution to peace, and is not this specious pretext being used to boost Dutch bulbs at the expense of the British bulb growers?

§ 41. Mr. Butcher
asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any information concerning the operation of the Dutch bulb market scheme as it affects the bulb industry of this country?

§ Mr. Morrison
Under a Dutch law which came into operation in July, 1933, a scheme of control over production was established, and provision was made for the destruction of surplus bulbs. Minimum export and inland prices were fixed, and the Government purchased the surplus bulbs at the end of the season, at a price 15 per cent. below the minimum inland prices. The minimum export and inland prices were discontinued on 1st January last, but I understand that the purchase of surplus bulbs by the Dutch Government is still in operation and that, in effect, the minimum internal price has been maintained. The limitation on Dutch production is, I believe, on the whole, beneficlal to bulb growers in this country.

§ Mr. Beechman
Will my right hon. Friend cause inquiries to be made into the methods used by Dutch exporters to evade the effect of our tariff?

§ Mr. Morrison
I will gladly inquire into any matter about which my hon. Friend writes to me.

(1) Statement showing number of Bulbs imported into the United Kingdom from the under-mentioned countries in the months July to October of the years 1935, 1936, 1937 and 1938.
Millions.
Country whence consigned.	1935	1936.	1937(a).	1938(a)
British Countries	…	10.8	7.6	7.3	8.6
Netherlands	…	609.1	622.2	647.7	797.8
Other foreign Countries	…	18.2	24.2	25.5	19.3
Total	…	638.1	654.0	680.5	825.7
(a) Provisional figures.

(2) Statement showing the duties on imported bulbs and certain other horticultural products.
Class or Description of Goods.	Rate of Duty.
Bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes	10 per cent. ad valorem.
Plants, flowers, etc. (but not including dried follage, dried flowers, dried plants or dried roots, being follage, flowers, plants or roots of the kinds (when dried) used solely for the manufacture of drugs or medicines):
(i) Flowering plants(other than plants in flower) and roots of flowering plants (excluding crowns and roots of lily of the valley).	6d. per lb.
(ii) Trees and shrubs (excluding rose trees, fruit trees, azalea indica and sweet bays) whether with bare or balled roots, other than in flower.	£1 per cwt.
(iii) Plants, trees and shrubs (excluding rose trees and fruit trees) in flower.	9d. per lb.
(iv) Rose Trees:
(a) Standard trees including half standards, quarter standards and weeping standards.	£5per 100.
(b) Other descriptions	£1 5s. per 100.
(v) Fruit Trees and fruit stocks	£1 per cwt.