HC Deb 28 May 1957 vol 571 cc200-1
25. Mr. Wiley

asked the President of the Board of Trade to which foreign countries evaporated and condensed milk is being exported.

Mr. Walker-Smith

In the four months January-April, 1957, Western Germany, Austria, Cuba, Hungary, Libya and Burma took 85 per cent. of our exports of evaporated and condensed milk to foreign countries. The remainder was sent, in small amounts, to more than 30 countries.

Mr. Willey

As this is another example of a subsidised export, and as it depends upon imported feeding stuffs paid for in dollars, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman keep this export under review?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I think that that question should more properly be directed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. For myself, I note what the hon. Gentleman says.

Mr. T. Williams

Could the right hon. and learned Gentleman give any idea of the weight or volume of this export trade?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The exports to foreign countries to which the Question relates are only about 15 per cent. of the whole of the exports overseas. These amounted in the first quarter of this year to 12,333 tons to a value of rather over£1¼million.

Mr. J. T. Price

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether these exports, which after all are carrying a certain degree of subsidy, are in conformity with out undertakings under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I am not aware of any challenge to these exports under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

Mr. Holt

if we are to have some of these surpluses, whether of milk or eggs, would it not be better to get rid of them by giving them to our own hospitals or to old-age pensioners rather than by disturbing foreign markets by selling them at cheap prices abroad?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I think that that question raises issues rather wider than arc implicit in this Question, which merely asks to which foreign countries these exports go.