HC Deb 18 July 1985 vol 83 cc468-9
11. Mr. Gregory

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what value are the United Kingdom's exports of confectionery for the last year for which figures are available.

Mrs. Fenner

Overseas trade statistics for 1984 provisionally value exports of sugar confectionery, not containing cocoa, and chocolate confectionery at £239,039,000.

Mr. Gregory

In view of the importance of that key sector of the economy, will my hon. Friend, who represents the sponsoring Ministry, hold discussions with the representatives of overseas states which seek to restrict the import of confectionery? They are fixing artificial barriers to a leading food export product, and the sooner they understand that those artificial barriers are not in the interest of world trade, the better.

Mrs. Fenner

We are well aware of the industries involved. My hon. Friend discussed the matter with the Cocoa Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance at a meeting on 26 June, and it was the subject of an Adjournment debate on 24 May. We made it clear that we would continue to take every opportunity to dissuade United States authorities from imposing restrictions. Meanwhile, we remain in close touch with the United Kingdom trade and the Commission.

Mr. Hardy

Does the Minister accept that the British confectionary industry is excellent and should be enjoying a greater share of the export trade? Will the Government ensure that both the United States of America and our Common Market partners are not allowed to erect artificial barriers, so enabling the industry to maintain and achieve the markets that it deserves?

Mrs. Fenner

I hope I made it clear that we shall argue the case strongly and in every forum that we can. The Government are committed to promoting exports and assisting exporters.

Mr. Greenway

What is the value of our imports of confectionery? In view of the high standard of our industry, why do we need imports?

Mrs. Fenner

I cannot find the figure for the value of imports. I can tell my hon. Friend only that the value of our exports is £40 million to the United States alone.

Mr. Meadowcroft

Is not one of the constraints imposed by other countries the requirement for much more detailed listing of the sugar content of confectionery? Is that not a perfectly proper thing to do, which we would value in this country, so that people may choose what they eat?

Mrs. Fenner

We are not convinced that that is a perfectly proper thing to do. That is the case that we are making.