§ 23. Mr. Royleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that buyers from the Continent are attending auctions of fat cattle in this country paying prices in excess of ruling prices and exporting these cattle; and, in view of the fact that these cattle bear subsidy, if he will prohibit their export.
Mr. AmoryPrices of cattle normally rise at this time of the year and I understand that the present higher prices are restricting the export trade which appears to have declined since the peak last November and December. As regards the second part, I have set up a Committee to inquire into this export trade and I must now await its report.
§ Mr. RoyleDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that it is right under any 580 circumstances that beef cattle should be transported alive to the Continent under conditions which we know are most undesirable, particularly when the beef subsidy and the calf subsidy have been paid for the encouragement of production for the home market? Is it right that we should be importing meat from the Argentine when we are exporting beef cattle on which subsidy has been paid? Can the right hon. Gentleman stop it?
Mr. AmoryThe hon. Member raises two rather different points, both of which I have referred to this Committee. The reply to the first part of the question is that I am taking every step I can to control the transport of these animals in this country and on shipboard to make sure that the conditions are satisfactory. As to the second part of the question, I said the other day and should like to repeat now that only a few of these cattle have attracted subsidy, and even in those cases I am satisfied that economically the trade is of advantage to this country.