§ 42. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reduction in imports of Cheddar and Cheddar-type cheese will result from his new agreement with importers, compared with actual imports in the year April, 1969, to April, 1970.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesImport figures for the year ending April, 1970, are not yet available. The restraint arrangements which I announced on 25th March will ensure that imports of Cheddar and Cheddar-type cheese during the coming year will be about 3,000 tons less than the average of the tonnages agreed for the previous two years.
§ Mr. DigbyIs the Minister aware of the serious increase in the trend of imported cheese? Why is it necessary next year to continue to increase imports by 1379 nearly 5,000 tons of Cheddar cheese from France?
§ Mr. HughesThe hon. Member must admit that we are controlling the importation of cheese in a way that has never been done before. This has stabilised stocks in this country. My announcement of 25th March gave new benefits to the British dairy industry by ensuring another year of restraint on imports and continuing market stability. Unquestionably, we have made very good progress in this complex and difficult matter, and I wish that the hon. Member would give credit for it.