HC Deb 11 February 1926 vol 191 cc1277-8W
Mr. HURD

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the cause of the delay in giving effect to the recommendations of the Linlithgow Committee of three years ago for establishing a legal standard of quality for cheese and other agricultural products, thus protecting the consumer and encouraging a higher grade of home production?

Mr. GUINNESS

This proposal has been the subject of prolonged inquiry, including the examination of a large number of samples by the Government Laboratory. As a result, and after consulting the Milk Advisory Committee on the question of a standard for cheese. I have come to the conclusion that there

QUANTITIES of POTATOES imported into the UNITED KINGDOM* from the undermentioned COUNTRIES in 1913 and 1921 to 1925 inclusive.
From 1913. 1921. 1922. 1923. 1924. 1925.†
Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons.
Denmark … … … 3,110 5,294 8,617 855 6,860 ‡
Poland … … … — 0 47 0 24,142 ‡
Netherlands … … 141,504 26,126 35,776 35,192 120,362 85,336
Germany … … … 115,452 20 490 14 21,582 ‡
Belgium … … … 50,102 337 1,464 4,852 44,583 ‡
France … … … 76,257 57,531 55,281 100,067 125,929 127,195
Spain … … … 10,901 987 7,229 13,666 17,060 23,085
Canary Islands … … 10,552 6,293 10,409 13,718 10,768 ‡
Channel Islands … … 55,047 55,154 43,418 63,095 49,011 55,260
Irish Free State* … … — — — 10,016 18,683 ‡
Other Countries … … 8,440 1,311 8,798 1,817 11,524 200,902
Total … … … 471,366 153,053 171,529 243,292 450,494 491,494
* From 1st April, 1923, the above figures include imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the Irish Free State, but exclude the direct foreign trade of that State.
† Figures for 1925 are provisional.
‡ Included, if any, under "Other Countries" in 1925.
QUANTITIES of POTATOES exported from IRELAND to GREAT BRITAIN and PLACES ABROAD in 1913, 1921, 1922 and 1923 (January to March).
Tons. Tons.
1913 … … … 124,020 1922 … … … 236,865
1921 … … … 184,826 1923 (to March) … 236,865
NOTE.—Figures are not available after March, 1923, of the total exports from Ireland.

is not a sufficient case for proposing the new legislation which would be required in order to establish legal minimum standards.

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