§ 25. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will restrict the importation of eggs into Scotland from Northern Ireland for the duration of the Northern Ireland egg subsidy scheme to the quantities which were despatched from Northern Ireland in the year before commencement of the scheme.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithNo, Sir.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneThat is not a satisfactory reply. Does my hon. Friend agree that at a time when egg producers in Scotland have suffered the consequences of over-production and are going out of production as a result, it is intolerable that eggs subsidised by the British taxpayer should be brought in free of any apparent control from Northern Ireland? Will he bear in mind that the export of eggs from Scotland to Northern Ireland is already subject to control? Why should not the control work both ways?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI appreciate my hon. Friend's strength of feeling. He and I have been in correspondence about the subject and I have also met a deputation from the Poultry Commission of the Scottish National Farmers' Union. My hon. Friend must realise that this is a limited subsidy for a limited period and he must look at it against the background of the effort the Government are making through financial measures to stabilise and assist employment in Northern Ireland in the extremely difficult situation which exists there.