HC Deb 20 March 1934 vol 287 cc1022-3
19. Mr. MITCHESON

asked the President of the Board of Trade the weight and fresh-milk equivalent of butter imported in 1933 from foreign countries with which we have not entered into any treaty arrangements specifically covering butter since the passage of the Import Duties Act?

Dr. BURGIN

1,065,000 cwts. of butter were imported during 1933 from foreign countries with which no trade agreements in which butter is specifically mentioned have been concluded since the passage of the Import Duties Act. The fresh milk equivalent of this amount of butter is 281,353,000 gallons.

Mr. LYONS

Can my hon. Friend say how this compares with the amount of butter that we have imported from New Zealand?

Dr. BURGIN

Certainly not without a good deal of notice.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Is not the fresh milk equivalent of this amount of butter vastly in excess of the surplus anticipated by the Minister of Agriculture?

Dr. BURGIN

That is a matter for another Minister.

39 and 40. Major MILLS

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) by what number of cwts. the imports of butter from Sweden in 1933 exceeded the amount below which their quota is not to be reduced under our trade agreement with them; and whether he proposes, in the interests of British producers, to take steps to see that in 1934 the minimum number of cwts. allowed them is not materially exceeded;

(2) by what number of cwts. the imports of butter from Denmark in 1933 exceeded the amount below which their quota is not to be reduced under our trade agreement with them; and whether he proposes, in the interests of British producers, to take steps to see that in 1934 the minimum number of cwts. allowed them is not materially exceeded?

Captain Sir GEORGE BOWYER

I have been asked to reply. The minimum quantities referred to do not apply except in the event of the supply of imported butter being regulated, which is not at present the case. Imports of butter in 1933 from Sweden and Denmark exceeded the minimum quantities provided for in the trade agreements with those countries by 41,777 cwts. and 219,119 cwts. respectively. With regard to the interests of British producers, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend of the statement outlining the Government's milk policy which my right hon. Friend made on 22nd February.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that imported butter is seriously affecting butter made on British farms?

Sir G. BOWYER

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that fact.