§ 9. Sir A. Hurdasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a further statement on the measures taken to prevent the dumping of foreign barley, and so ensure a steady market for the home crop at a price level that does not require unduly heavy Exchequer subsidy.
§ Mr. MaudlingYes, Sir. As I told the hon. Member on 7th July, the French authorities have agreed to make no further sales beyond existing contracts and they informed me that the amount still to be sold under existing arrangements did not at that time exceed about 30,000 tons. Similarly the Australian authorities informed me that outstanding deliveries from the old crop did not exceed about 45,000 tons of which a proportion has been sold at above £20 a ton. As I also stated on 7th July, discussions are to be held with the French and Australians about the price at which new sales may be made. These discussions will be based on the need to establish a c.i.f. duty paid price of not less than £20 per ton. As regards Russian barley, agreement has been reached with the Soviet authorities that exports for delivery to the United Kingdom during the 12-month period 1st July, 1961, and 30th June, 1962, shall not exceed 150,000 tons; this compares 1623 with about 340,000 tons delivered in the previous twelve months.
§ Sir A. HurdThis is better news. Has my right hon. Friend been able to get an assurance from the Russians that they will not unload barley here at less than £20 a ton, especially during the coming three months, when the weight of the the main harvest will be on the market?
§ Mr. MaudlingThey have agreed to limit their deliveries to 150,000 tons, and I am grateful for their help in this matter. I am certain that as the amount which they can send is limited they will arrange their time of delivery so as to get the maximum price for the product.