Viscountess Astorasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the compulsory restriction of mutton and lamb imports under the Livestock Industry Act is due to inability to negotiate voluntary agreements; and, if so, what country or countries refused to accept voluntary reductions; and what objections were made?
§ Mr. StanleyThe general position was stated fully in reply to questions by the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on 20th December and 16th February last. The Empire Meat Council failed to make a unanimous recommendation regarding the quantities of mutton and lamb to be imported in the current year, but the council's proceedings are confidential and I am not prepared to say what course the discussions took.