§ 39. Major ROSSasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the particulars of the duty on imported butter recently put on by the Government of the 1971 Irish Free State; and whether preferential rates are to be allowed to other members of the British commonwealth of nations?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMA duty of £5 per cwt. on imported butter was imposed on 21st November by the passage of a Resolution which under the general provisions of the law of the Irish Free State took immediate effect. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Major ROSSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this duty without Imperial preference is in consequence of the recent Imperial Conference, or is it simply a demonstration of the essential unity of Ireland?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI should hesitate to pronounce at any time on Ireland, but I think the short explanation is that they anticipated considerable supplies from cold storage in this country. I believe that in Ireland this is regarded purely as a temporary device.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a duty of 10d. a lb. and that the price of butter has not increased?