§ 23 and 24. Mr. Costainasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he will now increase the levy registration fee on import contracts for grain;
(2) whether he will issue a separate schedule of minimum import prices, and average import prices actually ruling, for barley of high diastatic power used in the whisky industry.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesIn general, the minimum import price arrangements are working satisfactorily, but I am at present reviewing certain aspects of the scheme.
§ Mr. CostainIs the Minister aware that if anyone registers before six o'clock on a night when it looks as if the price is to be altered, he can have a free gamble for 3d. a ton? Does the Minister want to encourage that sort of gambling? Does not he appreciate the difference between the price of barley for whisky and that used for other products?
§ Mr. HughesI am against gambling, and I am looking at this now.
§ Mr. StodartIf the right hon. Gentleman is considering the high diastatic power of barley, should not the makers of whisky be advised that they would be doing a great service by using more barley and less maize?
§ Mr. HughesI am sure that the hon. Gentleman is capable of passing on that message himself.