§ 74. Sir A. Baillieasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that under the existing system for grading British national mark eggs, British eggs are graded on a much lower scale than imported eggs, and that in consequence there is considerable difficulty at the present time in marketing medium standard British eggs in face of foreign competition; and what action he proposes to take to overcome this difficulty?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI understand that at certain seasons the small proportion of National mark eggs falling in the lower grades is in slower demand in markets where competition is met from imported eggs of heavier grades. The requirements of the National mark grades, which were adopted after full consultation with representatives of producers and distributors, will come up for review in due course by the independent Commission to be established under the forthcoming legislation for the poultry industry.
§ Sir A. BaillieWould it not be correct to infer that the reductions of the original grades were excessive, and would it not be quite an easy matter to put right?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe matter is somewhat more complicated than that of particular 301 grades, but the eggs to which my hon. Friend refers are a very small proportion of the total output of British eggs, and I would not like to make any statement in view of this position in advance of the Commission which is to be set up to consider the whole matter.
Mr. De la BèreWill my right hon. Friend give some assurance that there will be no further ambiguity about this matter?