§ Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) if the agricultural reporters of his Department have called his attention to the position in the Mark Lane wheat market last week, when port millers rejected offers of English wheat because of the cheap French wheat available; whether that French wheat is exported from France under any and, if so, what form of bounty; and what action he proposes to take;
(2) the character and effect of the steps which the French Government has taken 361W to stimulate the export of grain during this winter in competition with British production?
§ Dr. ADDISONMy right hon. Friend is aware that a certain quantity of French wheat has recently been on offer at Mark Lane at prices below those ruling for British wheat. The steps taken by the French Government to stimulate the export of grain are contained in an Act passed on 1st December, 1929. Article 3 of this Act abolishes the option formerly given to millers importing wheat under the temporary admission system to retain in France all or a part of the flour produced from such wheat. They are now under an obligation to re-export within three months a quantity of flour, to be fixed by decree, corresponding to the quantity of wheat imported. This applies to all wheat imported under the temporary admission system since 17th November, 1929. Article 4 provides that, within the limits
QUANTITY of Beef graded and marked under the National, Mark Scheme each week during and since October 1929. Week ended. London Area.* Birmingham Area. Number of Sides† Graded and Marked. Number of Sides† Graded and Marked. 1929. October 5th … … … … … 124 — October 12th … … … … … 1,052 — October 19th … … … … … 661 — October 26th … … … … … 879 — November 2nd … … … … … 1,495 — November 9th … … … … … 1,394 — November 16th … … … … … 1,827 29 November 23rd … … … … … 2,011 649 November 30th … … … … … 2,025 465 December 7th … … … … … 2,365 419 December 14th … … … … … 3,248 456 December 21st … … … … … 4,602 705 December 28th … … … … … 1,660 204 1930. January 4th … … … … … 2,031 387 January 11th … … … … … 3,074 463 January 18th … … … … … 3,054 413 Total … … … … … 31,502 4,190 * Includes Birkenhead-killed and (from 28th October, 1929) Scotch-killed beef. † Includes quarters, pieces, etc. converted into terms of sides.