§ 4. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, as the present import of eggs from Europe amounts to 8 million eggs each week, he will now have further consultations with the Egg Marketing Board with a view to removing his ban on the export of eggs to Europe.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Fred Peart)No, Sir. As the Board is aware, the Government of the day gave an undertaking to Denmark and the Netherlands in 1957 that we would not export subsidised eggs to their traditional export markets.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltIs the Minister having any consultations with these Governments to see whether these undertakings can be varied in view of the enormous increase in eggs which has taken place in this country and as we appear to be the only country in Europe which does not permit the export of eggs?
§ Mr. PeartThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is "No". The answer to the second part is, as I have said, that we have traditional arrangements and they are mere.
§ Mr. GodberIs the right hon. Gentleman closely in touch with the President of the Board of Trade on the claim that has been put in to ban certain imports of eggs from Poland?
§ Mr. PeartThe claim has been put in. Obviously, this is being considered and I am unable to comment at this stage.
§ Sir W. Bromley-DavenportWhy import all these millions of eggs when we are already told that we are over-producing eggs in this country? How can poultry farmers make a fair living under these conditions?
§ Mr. PeartIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman reads the Question, he will see that it is directed to exports to Europe.
§ 32. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the weekly cost of the import of foreign eggs; and what steps he now intends to take to reduce this figure.
§ Mr. PeartThe average weekly cost of shell egg imports during January, February and March 1967, as shown in the Overseas Trade Accounts is about £72,000. I do not consider that a case has been made out for any change in our policy on imports.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it does not make sense for him to refuse to reconsider export agreements on the ground that a traditional market of other countries is concerned when he is making this country a traditional market of Polish eggs?
§ Mr. PeartOne cannot argue like that. We have to try to make the right balance in our commercial relationships. In reply to an earlier supplementary question, I said that the Conservative Party strongly pursued this policy. If it has a drastic effect on our own position, I am prepared to look at it.
§ Sir W. Bromley-DavenportWould the Minister answer the Question, which he seems to have been dodging all afternoon? Why not stop the importation of millions of eggs when our home producers find it so hard to make a living?
§ Mr. PeartI am not dodging the question. Why should I be afraid of an hon. Member's Question? I have given the precise figure of £72,000. We allow imports to come in. It has never been the policy of any Government to stop imports coming in.
§ Mr. StodartIf the existence of a tariff wall around Europe, a wall which is getting higher as the years go past, is not a new factor which would cause the right hon. Gentleman to change his possibly 511 traditional import policy, can he give an indication of what might induce him to change his policy?
§ Mr. PeartAs I have said, if there were terrific damage to our home production, I would look at it. There is an application about egg dumping which will be examined. I cannot go beyond that.