§ 14. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many thousand boxes of eggs he estimates will be imported in the April to March year 1967–68 compared with the 739,000 boxes imported in the previous year.
§ Mr. HoyEight hundred and fifty-six thousand boxes of shell eggs were imported in the year April, 1967, to March, 1968, but within that total, following the action taken by the Government with the overseas suppliers, imports during the first three months of 1968 were 13 per cent. lower than in the corresponding period of last year.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltDoes the hon. Gentleman expect that decrease to continue in the remaining months and in future years?
§ Mr. HoyWe have drawn that to the attention of those who supply them. We are often obliged to do so at certain times of the year. We want to do what we can to protect our own producers.