§ 26 . Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection upon what criteria she 26 based her decision to subsidise hard cheeses only; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe primary intention was to subsidise cheddar cheese, but to avoid distortion of trade it was necessary to include competing hard-pressed and semi-hard-pressed cheese.
§ Mr. LathamOn reflection, does the hon. Gentleman really want to defend the Government's action in subsidising white stilton, which represents 20 per cent. of the stilton output, plus a whole lot of foreign cheeses which no one has ever heard of, much less eaten, and not subsidising blue stilton, which represents 80 per cent. of stilton output and is famous throughout the world?
§ Mr. MaclennanBlue stilton is a luxury cheese and is substantially more expensive than white stilton. It costs 42p per lb. whereas the best white stilton costs 341/2p per lb. It is no part of our intention to subsidise the specialised tastes of the better-off.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanWhat proportion of the subsidy will go to foreign rather than to home-produced cheeses?
§ Mr. MaclennanApproximately one-third. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]