HC Deb 06 May 1958 vol 587 cc1026-7
42. Mr. Lipton

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further action he is taking about New Zealand butter imports.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations informed the New Zealand Deputy-Prime Minister on Thursday last, this matter is being given urgent consideration by the Ministers concerned and a statement will be made as soon as possible.

Mr. Lipton

In the light of the unfair dumping which is now taking place, is not this continued dithering by the Government another gross betrayal of Commonwealth interests and of our loyal friends in New Zealand, whose help we are only too glad to obtain in time of war but whom we are at the moment treating very shabbily?

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

The hon. Member might take his cue from the very helpful and characteristically generous statement of the Prime Minister of New Zealand on 1st May, in which he said that there was no truth in the report that the trade negotiations were being broken off. He showed a greater awareness of the difficulties and complexities of the situation.

Mr. Lipton

When will the Government do something?