§ Mr. C. S. TAYLORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to ensure that in any trade agreements affecting agricultural products, particularly dairy products, an undertaking will be given that in the event of a marketing scheme for the products in question being set up then the importing country will agree to conform to any minimum prices which might be prescribed from time to time by a board or boards administering the scheme for the regulated marketing of such products?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have taken note of my hon. Friend's suggestion. I have no doubt, however, that my hon. Friend is aware that under Section 1 of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1933 the Board of Trade have certain powers to regulate the volume of imports of agricultural products when a marketing scheme in respect of those products is set up in this country.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Minister of Agriculture under which trade agreements the large increase in the recent imports of eggs has been made possible; when these agreements expire; and what action the Government proposes to take to protect the home industry?
§ Mr. ELLIOTHis Majesty's Government have undertaken in trade agreements with the following countries not to raise the existing duties on imports of eggs in shell: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden. The earliest date by which the last of these agreements can be terminated is 31st December, 1936. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Moseley (Sir P. Hannon) on 23rd March, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.