§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether it is proposed to fix a price for hops this autumn?
§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can state the approximate acreage at present under hops in England, Germany, Czecho-Slovakia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, and the United States of America; how many hops have been imported into the United Kingdom during 1919, and the countries from which 921W they came; whether the importation of any further hops is to be permitted this year; and, if so, how many?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe approximate acreage at present under hops in England is 14,566 acres. No details are available as to the acreage in the other countries mentioned. During the present year 300 cwts. of hops have been imported— 225 cwts. from Belgium and 75 cwts. from France. Further importation will be allowed only in those cases where brewers can satisfy the Hop Controller that they are unable to carry on to the end of the year without them.
§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can state approximately the average price paid in London during 1919 for hops imported from abroad?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe average price paid in London during 1919 for imported hops, whether imported during 1919 or earlier, is not ascertainable. The price varied from £6 to £13 per cwt. All these hops were grown prior to 1918.
Lieut.-Colonel HERBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade why the large registration and stencilling fee of 10s. per pocket or bale of 2 cwts. or under and 20s. over 2 cwts. has been placed on imported hops?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am informed by the Hop Controller that the Hop Control Committee in fixing the fee on imported hops at 10s. per bale under 2 cwts., and 20s. over2 cwts., consider that this sum is relatively a reasonable and fair charge. The charge for registration and stencilling with control mark of the previous English crops, which came into control, have varied from 7s. 6d. to 15s. per pocket of l½ cwts. These fees have up to now enabled the Hop Control to pay all its working expenses without calling for any financial assistance from His Majesty's Treasury.