HC Deb 29 May 1962 vol 660 cc1159-60
32. Mr. P. Browne

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will curtail the imports of dairy products from countries outside the Commonwealth, in view of the fact that these imports continue to rise as a percentage of total available supplies from both home and Commonwealth sources;and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Sir Keith Joseph)

No, Sir. In any case, my right hon. Friend is-not aware that imports of such products from countries outside the Commonwealth are increasing as a proportion of total supplies.

Mr. Browne

Is my hon. Friend aware that over the past seven years this home market has absorbed an extra 1,000 mil- lion gallons of milk equivalent? Is he aware that 67 per cent. of the extra quantities used has come from abroad but that of that 67 per cent. only 38.5 per cent. has come from the Commonwealth? Is he aware that this is a trend which is rising? Is my hon. Friend further aware that his Department took no notice of dumped products from France last summer? Does he think that this sort of policy—if it can be called a policy —is in the interest of the farmer, the taxpayer or the Commonwealth?

Sir K. Joseph

Each case about dumping is dealt with on its merits. We are the main market for the Commonwealth's agricultural exports, in most cases, and provided that our farmers are assured of a reasonable standard of living it is greatly to the interests of the country, as a major trading nation, and to us all as consumers, and to the balance of payments, that there should be the freest possible imports of food supplies.

Mr. Prior

Is my hon. Friend aware that dumping of dried milk is going on at the moment, and that the only reason that the Milk Marketing Board has not put in an application is that it is so disgusted with its treatment last year that it has decided not to put in an application this year?

Sir K. Joseph

That is a different question, but an analysis of the number of cases in which dumping applications have been successful should leave those who wish to apply perfectly satisfied with the treatment they get.