§ Mr. CHATERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give a complete list of quotas, both compulsory and voluntary, upon imports of agricultural products, showing the percentage reduction in each case?
§ Mr. W. S. MORRISONImports of frozen beef (quarters and sides and boned beef) and mutton and lamb from foreign countries are limited under the Ottawa Agreements Act, 1932, to 65 per cent. of the quantities imported in the corresponding quarter of the year ended 30th June, 1932. The same Act provided that imports of foreign chilled beef should be limited to the quantities imported in that year, but arrangements were subsequently made for reductions averaging nearly 10 per cent. of those quantities to be effected. Those arrangements are still in force. Imports of foreign pork are regulated by Order under the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1933. They are at present Hinted to the average quantities imported in the period of 1932–34.
By voluntary arrangements, imports of foreign canned beef (excluding tongues) are maintained at a level approximating to that of 1933, and imports of foreign frozen beef offals (excluding tongues) are regulated in relation to imports of other beef.
Imports of cattle from the Irish Free State are regulated by Order under the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1933. Present arrangements provide for a reduction of 33 1/3 per cent. for fat cattle and increases of 50 per cent. for store cattle and 33 1/3 per cent. for dry cows and bulls, on 1933 quantities.
Voluntary arrangements have been made with the Dominions for the regulation of their exports of meat to this country. The arrangements have provided for increases in the quantities imported.
Imports of foreign bacon, including barns and certain other kinds of cured 434W pig meat, are regulated by Order under the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1933, with the object of maintaining total supplies on the home market approximately at the level recommended by the Reorganisation Commission for Pigs and Pig Products. The rate of importation varies with the volume of home and Empire supplies.
Voluntary arrangements have been made with the Dominions for the regulation of their exports of bacon and hams (including pigs and pork for curing in this country). The arrangements have provided for an increase in the quantities imported.
Imports of potatoes from the Irish Free State and foreign countries are regulated by Order under the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1933, with reference to the volume of home production, the import quotas being fixed month by month.
In view of the rapid expansion of home production of processed milks, imports have been limited since June, 1933, by voluntary arrangements. As regards imports from foreign countries, the present rates of importation represent the following percentage reductions on 1932–33:
Per cent. Condensed whole milk and milk powder 50 Condensed skimmed milk 45 Cream 50 As regards supplies from the Irish Free State, present rates of importation represent a standstill for condensed skimmed milk and condensed whole milk and a reduction of 25 per cent. for cream, based on 1933.