§ LORD MACPHERSON OF DRUMOCHTERMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps, if any, they are proposing to take to deal with the persistent dumping of Argentine beef on to the United Kingdom market, with its serious effects on prices of British, New Zealand and Australian beef, and beef supplies from other exporting countries.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (LORD MANCROFT)My Lords, a Bill which would empower the Government to impose anti-dumping or countervailing duties on dumped or subsidised imports is to-day being debated in another place. If this Bill becomes law, it will be open to United Kingdom interests, as well as to other exporting countries which consider they are suffering serious injury, to submit a case to the Board of Trade for the imposition of such duties. Any such case would be examined in the light of the Bill's provisions and of the international obligations of Her Majesty's Government. I cannot, of course, anticipate what the outcome would be in a particular case. It will, however, be necessary for any applicant for the use of these powers to prove his case strictly according to the criteria in the Bill—in particular, that dumping as defined in the Bill is taking place.
§ LORD MACPHERSON OF DRUMOCHTERMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his reply, may I say that I am sure that the announcement he has made—it is the first word of hope that we have had about this Argentine beef dumping—will be received with much pleasure by producers of British beef, and also by beef producers in the Commonwealth.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, arising out of the noble Lord's reply, can he answer this supplementary question? Assuming that a case was made out, is it not a fact that Her Majesty's Government could take no action except with the assent of other 9 contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and that if those other parties did not assent to the action of Her Majesty's Government, the effects of the Bill would be virtually rendered null and void?
§ LORD MANCROFTIf the noble Lord does not mind, I would rather not answer any question concerning the effects of the Bill until we get the Bill here. As the noble Lord knows, until the Bill becomes law, the Government have no power to deal with dumped imports.