§ 10. Mr. Tim Rentonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the levels of butter imports in tonnage and value terms in 1972, 1973 and 1974; and what is the forecast for 1975.
§ Mr. BishopWith permission, I shall publish the figures for 1972, 1973 and 1974 in the Official Report. These show a higher level of imports in 1974 than in 1972 and 1973. It is not the practice of my Department to publish forecasts of imports.
§ Mr. RentonWhile finding it difficult to thank the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether he does not consider that the Secretary of State's answer to an earlier Question about the dairy situation in Britain showed a complacency that is totally out of place? Is it not true that the home dairy industry is now in a state of crisis and that cows are being brought forward for slaughter at a disastrous rate? What steps will the Government now take to set the British dairy industry on the path of expansion?
§ Mr. BishopThe Question was about butter. I deny the hon. Gentleman's allegation about my right hon. Friend. The main effect of the discussions on the green pound, and the agreement reached last week, will be on the guaranteed price for milk, which is worth £60 million in a full year. That addition has been welcomed by the farming industry.
§ Mr. JoplingDoes the Minister agree that virtually no butter will be made in this country between now and March 1976? Does he accept that that will happen as a result of the shortage of milk caused by Government policies, and that the recent 2.2p per gallon rise will do nothing to stem the downturn in milk production? Will he give us an assurance that before the winter begins there will be another adjustment to the milk price, so that we can put dairy produce and dairy production back on the right road?
§ Mr. BishopI have no doubt that the hon. Gentleman did not listen to either the Minister's statement or the announcement last week. Since the 1974 annual review we have increased the guaranteed price of milk by 37 per cent. That has helped the industry. The hon. Gentleman overlooks the fact that there are increases in the pipeline which must still be put into effect. The fall in butter production is not due only to the fall in milk production or to more milk being consumed as liquid; 2039 it is also used in the manufacture of cheese and other products.
§ Following is the information:
| UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS OF BUTTER | ||||
| '000 tons | £ million | |||
| 1972 | … | … | 339 | 165 |
| 1973 | … | … | 327 | 134 |
| 1974 | … | … | 437 | 230* |
§ Source: Overseas Trade Accounts. *Adjusted in the light of more recent information.