HC Deb 27 June 1939 vol 349 cc181-4
4. Mr. Thorne

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information in connection with the £1,700,000 deal in Japanese tinned salmon between the British tinned salmon importers and the Japanese agent now in London; and, in view of the effects of such a deal upon the Canadian tinned salmon trade, what action he intends taking about the matter?

6. Mr. T. Johnston

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a contract for the purchase of 680,000 cases of Japanese tinned salmon, valued at £1,760,000, has recently been signed by business interests in London; whether each individual tin is, or will be, clearly stamped as Japanese produce for the guidance of consumers in this country; and whether he can give the House an assurance that no part of this purchase will be acquired by his Department under the war emergency food-storage arrangements?

Mr. Stanley

On the question of the alleged purchase of 680,000 cases of Japanese tinned salmon, I have nothing to add to the reply given on 21st June to the hon. Member for East Ham, South (Mr. Barnes). There is no power to require tinned salmon imported from Japan to be marked "Japanese"; but any imported foreign tinned salmon which bears a name or trade mark which is or purports to be the name or trade mark of a firm in the United Kingdom, or which bears the name of any place or district in the United Kingdom, must bear the mark "foreign" or an indication of the country of origin. I understand that the Food (Defence Plans) Department has not purchased and has no intention of purchasing any Japanese tinned salmon.

Mr. Johnston

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these goods are stamped only with the words "foreign produce" in very small type, and does he not think it is desirable that the British public, particularly at a time like this and in view of what is going on in the Far East, should be made aware of the character and origin of the goods which they are being asked to buy?

Mr. Stanley

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, quite apart from this question, I was already considering the possibility of an amendment of the law in that direction. I have asked for the views of various trade organisations concerned. It has taken a considerable time to get some of those views, but we have them now and we are considering them, and I hope shortly to be in a position to announce a decision.

Mr. Johnston

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to take steps between now and the end of this Session to prevent the discharge on the British market of these goods without the British public being made aware of what it is they are being asked to buy?

Mr. Stanley

The House will have to look at this question from all angles. There was a very strong feeling in British industry at the time of the passing of the Merchandise Marks Act that there were many cases in which compulsion to mark with the name of the country did actual harm to British trade. It is for that reason that I have asked for their views, and I hope shortly to be in a position to make a decision.

Sir Joseph Lamb

Has my right hon. Friend received any communication from the Government of Canada in this matter?

Mr. Stanley

I am not aware of it.

Mr. Kirkwood

Seeing that this is a very serious matter, is it not possible for us not to wait for the legislation? Could not an Order-in-Council be brought in?

Mr. Stanley

After legislation.

Mr. Johnston

Will something be done before the end of this Session? These goods are lying in London. That is known. Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to give the House an opportunity of stopping the sale of these goods in this market?

Mr. Stanley

The right hon. Gentleman has raised a different point. Up to now, he has raised the question of marking these goods with their country of origin. Now he is asking whether I will give an undertaking that the sale of the goods will be stopped. That is a different question.

Mr. Johnston

Would it not be stopped if the British public knew what they were being asked to buy? Are they not being asked to buy goods under false pretences?

Mr. Stanley

I realise that this matter is urgent, and as soon as I have had a chance of looking into the points of view, I will bring the matter before the House at the earliest possible moment.

9. Mr. Beecham

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to induce the British importers who have been negotiating for the purchase of the whole of Japan's surplus of tinned salmon to satisfy their requirements wholly or in part by a substantial purchase of tinned Cornish pilchards?

Mr. Stanley

I have no doubt all British merchants are well aware of the desirability of assisting British industry, but I have no power to compel importers to purchase or the public to consume any particular variety of goods.

Mr. Petherick

When my right hon. Friend is purchasing reserve stores, will he consider such goods as are indicated in the question?

Mr. Stanley

That is a question for consideration by the Ministry concerned.

19. Mr. R. J. Taylor

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total imports of tinned salmon from British Columbia and Japan for the last six months?

Mr. Stanley

During the six months ended May, 1939, imports of canned salmon into the United Kingdom consigned from Canada amounted to 105,000 cwt., of a declared value of £511,000, and from Japan to 283,000 cwt., valued at £979000. Separate particulars of salmon consigned from British Columbia are not available.

Mr. Leach

Before the right hon. Gentleman undertakes to prevent the importation of this salmon from Japanese sources, will he take steps to see that the price of these goods does not go rocketing up in consequence?

Mr. Stanley

I think the hon. Gentleman is mistaken. The question with which we were dealing previously was not one of prohibiting imports, but the question of whether these goods were to be marked with the country of origin.

Mr. Leach

Is there not a very strong fear that if this importation is stopped by reason of the feeling which has been shown here to-day, the price of tinned salmon in general may go sharply upwards to the detriment of poor consumers?