HC Deb 16 December 1963 vol 686 cc839-40
25. Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what quantities of turkeys have been imported from Hungary and Argentina in 1962 and up to the latest available date in 1963; and whether it is necessary for these birds to bear visible indication of their foreign origin when offered for retail sale.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

The importation of turkeys from Hungary is prohibited by the Poultry Carcases (Landing) Order. 1955. Imports from Argentina in 1962 totalled about 73 tons, and this year up to 31st October, nil. The answer to the second part of the question is, "Yes".

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

Does that mean that my right hon. Friend and his Department are certain that Hungarian and Russian turkeys are not coming on the market at the moment at 1s. 10d. a lb., giving no indication whatever to the retail purchaser that they are tasteless, frozen birds and not good British birds?

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

My hon. Friend is wrong on all three counts. There are no Hungarian turkeys coming into the market. There have not been any Argentinian turkeys as yet although there may be between now and Christmas. If they come into the market they have to have the country of origin or "Foreign" marked on every bird.