§ VISCOUNT BRENTFORDMy 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 by what amount they are expecting the imports of mushrooms from Holland to rise this year, and, in view of the protection given by the Republics of Ireland and Germany to their home markets, what steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take to protect the interests of mushroom producers in this country.]
EARL WALDEGRAVEMy Lords, in the last three years there have been only a few pounds—pounds, not tons—of mushrooms imported into the United Kingdom from Holland. I am unable to forecast what imports may come in this year or in the future. Mushroom producers in this country are protected by an import duty of 20 per cent. during the months of October to April, and of 10 per cent. from May to September.
§ VISCOUNT BRENTFORDMy Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for that reply, may I ask him whether he appreciates that that protection is very much less than the protection afforded to the import of mushrooms into Ireland and Western Germany, and whether he realises that Holland will have an exportable surplus of mushrooms of some 7½ million tons this year?
EARL WALDEGRAVEMy Lords, I do not think I can express an opinion on the tariff policy of the Irish Republic. I am aware that it is suggested that Holland may be going to have a surplus. I have seen forecasts that they may try to sell mushrooms in this country. The Dutch have established no trade in mushrooms here, however, and how much trade they may be able to get in any new export market is really anybody's guess.