§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether it is the Government's intention to introduce a subsidy on cheese.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsYes. The Government have decided, subject to parliamentary approval, to pay a subsidy as from 6th May on Cheddar cheese, on the competing United Kingdom territorial varieties, and on Gouda, Edam and certain similar varieties of cheese. I hope to be able to announce the rate of subsidy and other details of the scheme very shortly. I shall be seeking to amend the350W Prices Bill in order to add cheese to the list of foods that may be subsidised. Estimates will be presented to the House in due course, and in the meantime it will be necessary to have recourse to the Contingencies Fund.