§ Sir P. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the discouragement to British egg production which is being caused by the increased importations from abroad and the reduction in the number of poultry farmers; 1060W and whether, before the hatching season, he will make an announcement of Government policy in order to induce home producers to increase their poultry stocks?
§ Mr. W. S. MORRISONI have no information as to changes in the number of poultry farmers, though I am aware that there has been some reduction in the number of poultry from the record figure in 1934. Although there has been an increase in the imports of eggs, prices of home-produced eggs have been consistently higher throughout 1936 than in either 1935 or 1934. I understand that an application has recently been received by the Import Duties Advisory Committee for increased duties on eggs imported from foreign countries, and I am not at present in a position to snake any announcement on the subject.