§ LORD BLEDISLOEMy Lords, I beg to address to His Majesty's Government the Question standing in my name upon the Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:—To ask His Majesty's Government whether and in what quantities German oats are at the present time being offered for sale on British markets, whether such imports are on the increase, at what price c.i.f. they are being offered both for prompt shipment and for forward delivery, whether such imports are bounty-fed, and whether in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, taking into account labour and other production costs, British oats of like quality can compete with them without loss to the grower.]
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (EARL DE LA WARR)My Lords, German oats are being offered in considerable quantities on British markets. Imports have increased during the last three months and in October they amounted to 25,000 tons. The landed price for German oats at London ranges 546 from 8s. 11d. per cwt. for fancy to 7s. 6d. per cwt. for ordinary. The c.i.f. price for November clearance is 6s. 10d. per cwt. for ordinary varieties. Oats are exported from Germany under the system of import bonds in force in that country. I have no precise information as to the average cost of production of oats in this country, but I gather that the low prices now prevailing are un-remunerative to some producers.
§ LORD BLEDISLOEMay I ask the noble Earl if he will kindly give me a written copy of that answer?