§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution passed by the executive committee of the Kent branch of the National Farmers Union, expressing alarm at the increasing amounts of the inter-regional compensation levy that milk producers in the southeastern region are called upon to pay, and urging that the Government should introduce at the earliest date a long-term policy in regard to the imposition of a levy subsidy on imported milk products with a view to maintaining an economic price for manufactured milk and alleviating the amount of the inter-regional compensation levy; and whether he has any statement to make upon the subject of such resolution?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI have seen the resolution to which reference is made. A general indication of the policy of the Government in regard to imports of milk products was given in a statement made on 25th July last, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. The present position of the home milk industry in relation to imports of milk products is safeguarded until October, 1937, by the Milk Act, 1934, and the Milk (Extension of Temporary Provisions) Act, 1936, which provide,inter alia, for Exchequer advances to improve the price of milk used for manufacture. The dairy produce situation will be reviewed and the Government's long-term policy determined before that date. The position with regard to condensed milk and milk powder will be considered on receipt of the report of the Import Duties Advisory Committee on the application now before them for an increase in the duties of imports of these products.