HC Deb 02 April 1962 vol 657 cc12-4
17. Mr. Bullard

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has noted the increase in the quantity of beef imported from Yugoslavia in the early months of 1962 compared with previous years; and to what extent there is a risk of wholesale beef prices being so reduced as to increase unduly the liability on the taxpayer in meeting the price guarantee to the home producer.

Mr. Soames

Yes. I have noted the increase in imports of beef from Yugoslavia, but these still represent only 3 per cent. of our total beef supplies. Imports as a whole during January and February of this year were lower than in the same months last year, and in fact in these months the market price was slightly higher than we allowed for in the estimates.

Mr. Bullard

Although the proportion is relatively small, is the Minister quite sure that the market will stand this importation? Is there any danger of the subsidy bill suffering as a result of this importation as it did from the importation of dumped Irish beef last year, when the bill ran up to a very high figure? What inquiries have been made about the cost of production of this beef in the country of origin? This is the old problem of ascertaining the true price in the country of production to know whether it is dumped produce. If it is dumped, will he stop it coming into this country?

Mr. Soames

This beef is imported under open general licence within the overall considerations of our imports and exports and trading policies generally. My hon. Friend asked whether this beef is dumped. As my hon. Friend knows, technically, for a product to be dumped it has to fulfil three qualifications. It has to be subsidised in the sense that it is being sold cheaper in this country than in the country of origin; it has to be materially damaging the interests of the industry concerned; and it has to be contrary to the national interest.

Mr. Prior

Will the Minister talk this over with the President of the Board of Trade? Last year we imported £5 million worth of meat from Yugoslavia, which was the exact amount of the imbalance of our trade with Yugoslavia. Is it not time that we took some action in this sort of case and stopped this meat, which we do not require, being imported into this country?

Mr. Soames

This raises a very big question well beyond the ambit of this Question—the general import policy of the Government.

Mr. Morris

Will these imports increase the amount of subsidy payable?

Mr. Soames

Who can judge what will be the effect of a certain percentage of meat on the market price? It is exceedingly hard to judge what will be the effect of any particular shipment of meat on the market price of meat.