Butter, Cheese, Lard and Eggs (Hansard, 15 November 1956)

§ 31. Mr. Rankin
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effects of the blocking of the Suez Canal on the importation of butter, cheese, lard and eggs; and if he will make a statement on future prospects.

§ Mr. H. Nicholls
The blocking of the Suez Canal is not expected to have any significant effect on imports of butter, cheese, lard and eggs.

§ Mr. Rankin
From the answers which the Minister has given, are we now to assume that the blocking of the Suez Canal will have no economic effect whatever on this country?

§ Mr. Nicholls
Well, the Questions put are very helpful and will enable the facts to be understood by the country. Regarding the particular commodities mentioned by the hon. Member in his Question, butter and cheese from New Zealand do not come through the Suez Canal—sorry, but we cannot alter that—

§ Mr. Snow
What about Australia?

§ Mr. Nicholls
So far as Australia is concerned, it will take five days longer round the Cape. Regarding lard, that is available from the United States, and concerning eggs, 95 per cent. are home-produced.