HC Deb 09 May 1962 vol 659 cc426-7
19. Mr. P. Browne

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to prevent the import of meat from countries outside the Commonwealth during peak home-killing periods.

Mr. Soames

I have asked exporting countries to take account of the state of the United Kingdom market when planning their exports to this country. The pattern of imports is that they tend to be lower in the second half of the year when home production is at its highest. There would be serious objections to applying compulsory restrictions, with ramifications on our whole trading policy and on our international obligations.

Mr. Browne

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that these marginal imports from countries outside the Commonwealth make a great deal of difference to our whole trading pattern and policy? If that is so, would he not agree that all that is happening at the moment is that a very great deal of damage is being done not only to the home producers but to the taxpayers of this country? Can he say what kind of answer he has had to his letters to foreign Governments asking them not to send so much meat this year?

Mr. Soames

I have on the whole had satisfactory communications from the Governments as well as from all the major exporters of meat to this country. The tenor of them is that they do not expect to be exporting any greater quantities of meat to this country this year than they did last year.

Mr. Browne

Is my right hon. Friend saying that he has no intention at times of home peak killing in this country of stopping imports from non-traditional suppliers of meat to this country?

Mr. Soames

I believe that if this were to be done we should build up considerable trouble for ourselves in other months, when the meat that would come in in those months would tend to be in greater quantity, and I do not think that would be the solution to our problem.

Mr. Browne

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.