HC Deb 08 March 1939 vol 344 c2142
66. Lieut.-Colonel Dower

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in order to strengthen our agricultural policy, he will make 1½d. per 1b. the irreducible minimum of the import duty on Argentine meat when negotiating an extension of the trade agreement, in view of the local ill-treatment of the Anglo-Argentine railways for the benefit of the Argentine pastoral and agricultural industries?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Cross)

My right hon. Friend is not sure that my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion would have the effect he appears to desire, but he will bear the general lines of the suggestion in mind.

Lieut.-Colonel Dower

Will my right hon. Friend put the interest of British agriculture first, in considering any extension of the Argentine agreement?

Mr. Cross

All interests are considered and given due weight, but there are no negotiations with the Argentine in contemplation.