12. Commander Maitlandasked the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has that imports of wheat and 1254 coarse grains from European countries are subsidised by the exporting country, contrary to existing agreements and arrangements made on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftA number of European countries subsidise their exports of wheat. With our support the Council of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation has recently called on all member countries to bring export subsidies to an end by next December, and we are seeking in the present review of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade to strengthen provisions relating to export subsidies.
Commander MaitlandCan my right hon. Friend say how much wheat, in tonnage, has come in from European countries subsidised in that way?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI believe it is about 10 per cent. of our total imports.