§ 40 and 41. Sir J. Barlowasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what quantity of hides and skins were purchased in the Argentine in the last six convenient months; what was the average c.i.f price; at what figure will they be invoiced to tanners in the United Kingdom; and what is the cost price for similar hides purchased in the U.S.A.;
(2), when the Government proposes to stop subsidising and control of leather and hides; and what is the estimated cost of this subsidy during 1946 and 1947.
§ Sir S. CrippsI do not consider it would be in the public interest to give figures of our recent purchases of hides and skins. The cost of the subsidy on leather and hides in the financial year 1946–47 is estimated at £7.8 million and for the financial year 1947–48 tentatively at £12½ million. I am at present unable to say when the subsidy or control will cease.