§ 35. Sir C. Thornton-Kemsleyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the concern of milk producers in Scotland at the continued importation of full cream powder from Belgium, France and the Netherlands and of skim powder from France; what evidence he has received that there is a bounty or subsidy on the export of the former and that imports of skim powder from France are both subsidised and 195 dumped in the United Kingdom below the domestic price; and what action he proposes to take to prevent injury to this industry.
§ 36 and 37. Mr. Corfieldasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware of the disorganisation of the home market resulting from the dumping of French spray milk powder at over 10s. per cwt. below current prices of the equivalent home and New Zealand products and that this commodity is subsidised by the French Government and is causing loss to the producers of milk and the manufacturers of milk powder in the United Kingdom; and what action he proposes to take;
(2) whether he is aware that bounties and subsidies are paid in respect of production or export of full cream powder in certain Continental countries and that this product is being dumped in the United Kingdom below the domestic price in the countries of origin; and what steps he is taking to protect the interests of United Kingdom producers.
§ 39. Sir A. Hurdasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet taken a decision on the formal application by the Milk Marketing Board for antidumping duties on full cream and skim milk powder, the export of which is subsidised by Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
§ 53. Mr. P. Browneasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he now proposes to take to stop the import of milk products at prices below the cost of production in the countries of origin.
§ 58. Mr. Morrisasked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take concerning the request of the Milk Marketing Board to stop the dumping of milk products.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonThe Board of Trade is engaged in a full investigation of the application by the Milk Marketing Boards for action under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, 1957 against full cream milk powder imported from France, Belgium and the Netherlands and on skim milk powder imported from France. The investigation has been extended to Austria, Finland and the Irish Republic and may be extended to other countries which appear to be supplying milk powder at 196 dumped or subsidised prices. Representations have been invited from interested parties. My right hon. Friend cannot prejudge the outcome.
§ Sir C. Thornton-KemsleyIn view of the apprehensions and anxieties which are already facing the dairy industry in this country, will my hon. Friend do all in his power to remove this further threat to the industry?
§ Mr. MacphersonThe first thing is to investigate the facts and to ascertain the effect that this might be likely to have upon the industry.
§ Mr. de FreitasSince on the last occasion that the Milk Marketing Board applied to the hon. Gentleman's Department it took five months for the Department to make up its mind, will the hon. Gentleman do better this time?
§ Mr. MacphersonAs I am sure the hon. Gentleman realises, the investigations have to be very full in order to satisfy the three conditions under the Act.
§ Mr. PriorWhy does my hon. Friend have to wait until an application is made by the Milk Marketing Board? If it is in the national interest to stop this cheap dumped food coming in, why cannot he take action straight away?
§ Mr. MacphersonThat is only one of the three conditions involved in the Act. One of them is that there must be material injury to United Kingdom industries. It is for the industry to make its case first.
§ Mr. MarquandWill the hon. Gentleman invite all the European countries mentioned in these Questions to join with the United Kingdom in a joint programme for the export of these surplus dairy products to the under-developed countries where they are badly needed?
§ Mr. MacphersonMy right hon. Friend will take note of the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion. I do not think he would expect me to say more about it today.