§ 19. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of beef was imported into Great Britain during the months of January, February and March, 1956; and what were the comparative figures for the first three months of 1955.
Mr. AmoryImports into the United Kingdom of beef and veal as carcase meat during the first three months of 1956 were 48.4, 31.9 and 42.7 thousand tons. The comparative figures for 1955 were 30.6, 38.6 and 28.5 thousand tons, respectively.
§ Mr. DyeIn view of the increases for this year, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would have been fair 1436 to have warned the home producers of these increased imports, so that they could have taken steps to market their own produce in a better manner than has been the case?
Mr. AmoryNo—the increase has not been a sudden or unexpected one. It has arisen partly from a steady increase in the amount of chilled meat now coming into the country. That has happened gradually and steadily over the past twelve or eighteen months. I do not think there is anything unexpected in the present situation, and it is to be welcomed inasmuch as it brings our consumption of meat nearer to what it was pre-war. It is still below.
Air Commodore HarveyI welcome the additional supplies of beef, but is it the intention of the Government to import large quantities of Argentine beef when that country has taken so few of our manufactured products?
Mr. AmoryAs my hon. and gallant Friend knows, the Government do not buy meat now, and there are no obstructions to free trading.