§ 50. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the British butter market is supplied by imports from New Zealand, Denmark and Australia; and what evidence he has that there is extensive dumping of butter from any other sources.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. J. K. Vaughan-Morgan)Rather more than 70 per cent. of the British butter market was supplied by imports from New Zealand, Denmark and Australia in 1957. Applications have been made for anti-dumping duties on imports of butter from a number of other countries and my right hon. Friend is at present considering the evidence.
§ Mr. JohnsonHas the Minister's attention been drawn to the bitter speech made yesterday by the Minister of Commerce in New Zealand in which he asked whether Her Majesty's Government were turning their back on a loyal Dominion such as New Zealand in her difficulties? Surely, if the Prime Minister's tour meant 31 anything, it meant that both honour and interest demand that we should help this Dominion.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganIt is for my right hon. Friend to consider the evidence in accordance with the Act of Parliament governing these matters.
§ 53. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the National Farmers' Union or other representative bodies regarding imports of Swedish and Finnish butter.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganThe National Farmers' Unions and Milk Marketing Boards of the United Kingdom and the New Zealand Government have applied for anti-dumping or countervailing duties under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, 1957, on imports of butter from Sweden and Finland. My right hon. Friend is at present considering the evidence.