HC Deb 20 November 1952 vol 507 cc2022-4
16. Mr. W. R. A. Hudson

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities and values of fondant, sugar fat mixtures and piping jelly, respectively, which were imported during the last six months of 1951 and the import quotas fixed for the same products for the six months to 31st December, 1952, respectively.

Mr. Mackeson

The quotas fixed for the last six months of 1952 for imports from Western European and certain other non-sterling countries of sugar fat mixtures and fondant are £1 million and £750,000 respectively. There is no quota for piping jelly, but certain licences have been issued to enable importers to fulfil contracts which they had entered into prior to the imposition of import restrictions on this item.

Imports of sugar fat mixtures from the same countries in the last six months of 1951 amounted to 359,125 cwts., valued at £2,808,505. Imports of fondant and piping jelly were not separately recorded in the official statistics. Imports of fondant in the calendar year 1951 are estimated to have been £8 million.

Mr. Hudson

Would the Minister not agree that it would be far better to import fewer of these extensive manufactured products and more of the raw materials with which they are made? Will the Minister keep that constantly in mind?

Mr. Mackeson

We are taking all the sugar we can get from the sterling area, and towards the end of this month we shall be making an announcement of the purchase for next year.

Mr. Profumo

Could my hon. Friend tell the House whether Her Majesty's Government have been into a detailed examination of the possibility of giving up these imports altogether, and, if they have, what reaction these European Governments have taken to such a step? My own information is that the European Governments themselves regard these sugar substitutes as something of a black market which has developed over recent years.

Mr. Mackeson

We have looked into this matter. My hon. Friend's remarks are not applicable to every country, but perhaps he will await the announcement which will be given on about 25th November.

Mr. Beswick

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that last week in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Hammersmith, South (Mr. W. T. Williams) the Minister said that to reduce these imports of fondants from European countries would damage our trading relations with these countries? In what way would our trading relations be damaged?

Mr. Mackeson

If we deliberately try to exclude one industry or damage a particular country, naturally they resent it and take reciprocal action against us. We have to look at each country on its merits and talk to them and see that we do as little damage to our trading relations as possible.