§ Lieut.-Colonel MASONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that all eggs from Denmark, Northern Ireland, and the Irish Free State are imported in non-returnable crates; that such crates are not obtainable in England save at prohibitive cost; and, in view of this handicap to English poultry keepers, will he take steps to encourage the cheap production and marketing of these crates?
Mr. GUINNESSI am aware that eggs from Denmark, Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State are imported in non-returnable cases and I am satisfied that English makers can supply non-returnable packages in large quantities at prices which, approximate to those paid by packers at any rate in Ireland. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of a Report of a Committee which I recently invited to examine this subject, and would add that the prices of English-made non-returnables shown therein have since been somewhat reduced.
Date. Men, Boys. Women. Girls. Total. 6th February … … … … 1,480 93 174 89 1,836 13th February … … … … 1,511 90 159 81 1,841 20th February … … … … 1,524 89 159 81 1,853 27th February … … … … 1,562 85 160 80 1,887