HC Deb 28 January 1970 vol 794 cc1527-8
11. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the President of the Board of Trade having regard to large English fruit crops in 1969, what steps he is taking in 1970 to protect growers in the Vale of Evesham and elsewhere against the consequences of foreign, notably West European, dumped imports, and to support a policy of import substitution.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

Growers have the protection of the tariff and, for apples and pears, of import quotas. They also receive financial and other help to enable them to compete more effectively with imports. The Board of Trade will consider promptly any antidumping application by the industry.

Sir G. Nabarro

How does the hon. Lady account for the fact that every branch of the N.F.U. in every horticultural area of Britain unanimously condemns the Board of Trade for the fact that, during 1969, foreign horticultural produce has been dumped here in excessive quantities at artificially low prices, generally subsidised by the country of origin, which is destroying the British growers' market? What does she intend to do about it?

Mrs. Dunwoody

Does the hon. Gentleman seriously believe the good old load of British rubbish that he peddles around in Pershore Market? He has the means of coming to us and pointing out those horticultural products which have been dumped. There has been not one application to us to use the new powers we have had since the Amendment to the anti-dumping laws for horticultural products was made in 1968. If he has evidence that we are allowing dumped goods into the country, it is time he did something about it himself.

Mr. William Hamilton

Is my hon. Friend aware that the official Opposition spokesman on these matters last weekend deplored Government intervention in industry? How does this square with the interventions made by the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro)? Is she further aware that this House and the housewives are getting thoroughly tired of the enmity displayed by the hon. Gentleman against the interests of the housewives?

Mrs. Dunwoody

I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) for those remarks, because it is noticeable that those who frequently talk about increased prices for the farmers do not point out that this would mean increased prices to the housewife. I should like to know whether this is the general policy which the party opposite wants to follow.

Sir K. Joseph

Is the hon. Lady aware that it is, in our view, the Government's basic job to protect all suppliers in this country, be they agricultural or manufacturing, against unfair competition and dumping? That is what is at issue behind the Questions put by my hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro).

Mrs. Dunwoody

In that case, as I have pointed out not only to the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South but also to the right hon. Gentleman, since the amendment to the anti-dumping legislation went through, hon. Members opposite have had at their disposal a means of bringing an anti-dumping case. We will take action as soon as we have prima facie evidence, but it is not something that hon. Members opposite have chosen to do.