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French Wheat (Import)

Volume 234: debated on Thursday 23 January 1930

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asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) if the agricultural reporters of his Department have called his attention to the position in the Mark Lane wheat market last week, when port millers rejected offers of English wheat because of the cheap French wheat available; whether that French wheat is exported from France under any and, if so, what form of bounty; and what action he proposes to take;(2) the character and effect of the steps which the French Government has taken to stimulate the export of grain during this winter in competition with British production?

My right hon. Friend is aware that a certain quantity of French wheat has recently been on offer at Mark Lane at prices below those ruling for British wheat. The steps taken by the French Government to stimulate the export of grain are contained in an Act passed on 1st December, 1929. Article 3 of this Act abolishes the option formerly given to millers importing wheat under the temporary admission system to retain in France all or a part of the flour produced from such wheat. They are now under an obligation to re-export within three months a quantity of flour, to be fixed by decree, corresponding to the quantity of wheat imported. This applies to all wheat imported under the temporary admission system since 17th November, 1929. Article 4 provides that, within the limits

QUANTITY of Beef graded and marked under the National, Mark Scheme each week during and since October 1929.
Week ended.London Area.*Birmingham Area.
Number of Sides† Graded and Marked.Number of Sides† Graded and Marked.
1929.
October 5th124
October 12th1,052
October 19th661
October 26th879
November 2nd1,495
November 9th1,394
November 16th1,82729
November 23rd2,011649
November 30th2,025465
December 7th2,365419
December 14th3,248456
December 21st4,602705
December 28th1,660204
1930.
January 4th2,031387
January 11th3,074463
January 18th3,054413
Total31,5024,190
* Includes Birkenhead-killed and (from 28th October, 1929) Scotch-killed beef.
† Includes quarters, pieces, etc. converted into terms of sides.