HC Deb 08 February 1938 vol 331 cc820-1
18. Mr. T. Williams

asked the President of the Board of Trade the wholesale prices for various kinds of beef in Smithfield Market on 24th January, 1938, and the nearest parallel date in 1935, with the percentage increases or decreases?

Mr. Stanley

As the answer involves a table of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Williams

Has any official information been obtained as to whether the increases are considerable, and has consideration been given to the effect of the beef subsidy?

Mr. Stanley

That is a question for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture.

Following is the answer.

with egg-exporting countries with a view to preventing the dislocation of the Home market by untimely importations?

Mr. Stanley

The discussions to which my hon. Friend refers were of an informal character and were initiated with a view to guarding against a recurrence of the disturbance of the market which took place last winter. In the event, the need for considering special measures did not arise.

Sir P. Hurd

Have these discussions, in fact, had any good result?

Mr. Stanley

They were to guard against a possible contingency which, in fact, did not arise. Last year, there was a very great increase in exports in December, which flooded our market. This year there was a decrease, and no corresponding effect on prices.