§ 21. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what periods in recent years have British cheese producers been advised to stop production of cheese due to a glut of imported cheese on the British market; what proportion of cheese consumed in Great Britain was imported in 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967; and what further steps he is taking to encourage the home production of dairy products generally.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesFarmhouse cheese makers have from time to time at the instance of the Milk Marketing Board suspended manufacture of cheese, on the general ground that their production has been expanding faster than sales. Production was halted on such grounds for 18 days in 1963 and 1964, 7 days in 1965, 11 days in 1966, and 35 days in 1968. No break in production occurred in 1967.
The percentage of cheese imported in the years 1963 to 1967 was 57, 58, 57, 57 and 56 respectively.
As regards future policy I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on 12th November last on agricultural objectives.—[Vol. 773, c. 210–13.]
§ Mr. RobertsWill my right hon. Friend accept that this is quite intolerable and that the situation on the importation of dairy products generally is unacceptable not only to the farming community but to the community at large, which is looking forward to a balance of payments surplus? Will he turn speedily from discussing this matter to providing some action on it?
§ Mr. HughesClearly my hon. Friend has not listened to my Answers to previous Questions. If he had, he would realise that there are import regulations in relation to certain milk products, and be aware of the action that I have taken on these.
§ Mr. GodberWill the Minister now explain why he will not adopt the same principle of quotas for cheese as we adopted for butter?
§ Mr. HughesBecause my action is likely to get quicker results.