§ 24. Mr. Darlingasked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the need for continuing imports of disease-free meat, preferably from Commonwealth and European Free Trade Area countries, he will reconsider the import duty on Danish beef and veal in order to bring it into line with the reduction of duty on Danish bacon.
§ Mr. ErrollNo, Sir.
§ Mr. DarlingIn view of the fact that we have to import beef and veal from abroad, would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this tariff is not in keeping with the spirit and the intention of the European Free Trade Association? Would not he bear in mind that this beef is not subject to foot-and-mouth disease, since the Danes give guarantees against it, and that nobody is benefiting from this tariff, while the consumers are not getting the meat at the price at which they could get it?
§ Mr. ErrollWe have no evidence to show that the present tariff is any obstacle to the import of this beef and veal. Bacon was covered by a special arrangement between Britain and Denmark under the E.F.T.A. Agreement, and we do not think it appropriate to extend that arrangement to other agricultural products.
§ Mr. BullardDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that the best way of getting disease-free supplies of beef and veal is to produce them at home? As the Danes are not traditional suppliers of beef and veal to this country in any quantity, will not he take action on those lines?
§ Mr. ErrollI will take note of what my hon. Friend has said.