§ Sir R. GLYNasked the President of the Board of Trade how much Danish barley has recently been disembarked at Scottish east coast harbours, such as Lossiemouth, for delivery to distilleries; and whether he can give the figures for the quantity of barley discharged at British ports during the last six months and state how they compare with those for a similar period a year ago?
§ Dr. BURGINThe imports of barley into the United Kingdom entered at east coast ports in Scotland and registered during the six months ended November, 1935, as consigned from Denmark amounted to 265,073 cwts., but the proportion destined for use in distilleries cannot be stated. The total quantity of barley imported into the United Kingdom from all sources during the same period was 11,265,993 cwts., as compared with 8,163,987 cwts. during the corresponding period of 1934.
§ Mr. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the quantity of Danish barley landed at Lossiemouth this year for delivery to Speyside distilleries is seven times last year's aggregate; that the price is understood to be about 6s. per quarter below the market quotation for home barely; and if he proposes to take any action?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am aware that unusually heavy consignments of foreign barley have been landed in recent months at Lossiemouth at prices lower than those quoted for home barley. The whole question of the duty on foreign barley is at present engaging the attention of the Import Duties Advisory Committee.