§ 31. Sir PERCY HURDasked the President of the Board of Trade the prices for Dutch butter in this country and Holland, respectively; and, if these figures indicate dumping at the expense of British and British Empire producers, whether he will insert a clause in the pending trade agreement with that country to prevent a continuance of this practice of dumping?
§ Dr. BURGINThe wholesale price of Dutch butter was quoted on 21st April in the United Kingdom at from 69s. to 77s. a cwt., and on 20th April in Holland at a price equivalent to 190s. 6d. a cwt. I cannot forecast what provisions will be included in any commercial agreement which may result from the forthcoming negotiations with Holland.
§ Sir P. HURDIs this remarkable discrepancy and evidence of a case of dumping being brought to the attention of the Dutch Government?
§ Dr. BURGINThe House will appreciate that the price at which Dutch butter is sold here is the world price. For reasons best known to Holland, she appears to charge an internal price very much in excess. The inference that that is dumping does not arise. My hon. Friend will also appreciate that the imports of Dutch butter are a very small proportion of the total imports of butter into this country.
§ Mr. LAMBERTCan the hon. Gentleman say whether in any trade agreement this action of a foreign Government in sending here goods at less than her own costs, will be prohibited at all costs?
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLCan the hon. Gentleman say whether Dutch butter is cheaper than New Zealand butter?
§ Dr. BURGINNot without notice. The matter can certainly be borne in mind in any trade negotiations, and I will make a special note of the point.
§ Mr. LAMBERTBut will His Majesty's Government make up their own mind on the matter?
Duchess of ATHOLLWill the hon. Member take note of the fact that the average price of Russian butter imported during the first three months of the present year was not more than 41s. per cwt.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe are dealing with Dutch butter.
§ 32. Sir P. HURDasked the President of the Board of Trade the prices for Danish butter in this country and Den mark, respectively; and, if these figures indicate dumping at the expense of British and British Empire producers, whether he will bring the matter to the attention of the Danish Government with a view to the discontinuance of this practice of dumping?
§ Dr. BURGINThe price of Danish butter in the United Kingdom on 21st April was 82s. a cwt.; the price in Denmark on 19th April was 54s. 6d. a cwt. In view of these figures, my hon. Friend will no doubt agree that the second part of his question does not arise.