Mr. De la Bèereasked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is the intention of his Department to subsidise State organisations, such as the Government laboratory at Weybridge, with the object of offering public services at a cost which will crush competitive industry, or, alternatively, whether he will take into consideration the fact that the present policy adopted by the laboratory at Weybridge may have this effect?
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§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 8th July to questions on this subject by the hon. Baronet the Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox).
§ Mr. De Chairasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he intends to take any definite steps to protect the poultry industry before it collapses?
Mr. Whiteleyasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has had full inquiry made into the condition of many poultry keepers in the country, largely brought about by the increase in the prices of feeding-stuffs; and whether he can state to the House the intention of the Government in regard to the matter?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am aware of the position of the poultry industry, but, as I informed the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers) on 5th July, I am not in a position to make a statement on the subject.