HL Deb 06 March 1963 vol 247 cc406-8

2.47 p.m.

LORD WISE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether representation has been made to the American authorities that the importation of liquid milk for consumption by their forces and families in this country is not in British national and farming interests, and if such representation has been put forward what was the reaction of such authorities to it.]

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

Yes, my Lords. I spoke to the Minister at the United States Embassy on February 28. I emphasised the strong reasons why, in our view, the American Service units in this country should continue to obtain their milk requirements from British sources, and I told him of the strong reaction there would be if the American forces were to import their milk. The Americans are giving our representations very careful consideration.

LORD WISE

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for that reply. Since I understand that the matter is very urgent, can we expect some information from the Government in the next few days?

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My Lords, I understand that we should have a reply soon, but I do not want in any way to anticipate it.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, as the noble Earl has discussed this matter with representatives from the United States, could he say why the Americans took the action they did and whether it is related to the increase of strontium 90 which has recently been recorded?

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

No, my Lords. It has no relation to that.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that the Americans are also importing meat into this country for their forces?

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

The Question on the Paper, my Lords, is about milk.

LORD PEDDIE

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the British interests, in tendering for the supply of milk to the American forces, tendered on the basis of day-to-day delivery; whereas, the Dutch interests, I am given to understand, tendered—and the tender was accepted—on the basis of alternate-day deliveries? In consequence of that, British interests, so I am informed, and I should like it confirmed, have sought to re-tender on the same basis as the Dutch interests.

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My Lords, the Milk Marketing Board are in touch with the American authorities on all these matters. I do not wish at the moment to enter into a discussion of the many different factors which might come into it.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, could the noble Earl answer my question? I want to know what was the reason.

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

The reason for what?

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

For the Americans' decision that their very strong, tough Servicemen must have their milk imported from Holland; and why our milk is not good enough for them? It is a simple question.

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My Lords, I do not want to enter into that point either. The American forces in Europe, except the stations in England, get all their milk from the same source in Holland. Having, I think, fully answered the Question of the noble Lord, I do not want at the moment to enter into any discussion of details which might be relevant to the final decision. I have fully represented the views of the Government on this matter, and I think the national Milk Marketing Board are fully capable of representing all the various factors which should weigh in the decision.

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, may I ask whether the noble Earl, when he was speaking to the American representatives, asked them whether or not this action was being taken with a view to penalising England because she had not got into the Common Market?

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

No, my Lords, that would never have occurred to me. If it had done so, I think it would have caused the greatest surprise.

LORD PEDDIE

May I repeat the point I made previously, and ask: in the the course of the negotiations with the American authorities, were Her Majesty's Government aware that there was a different basis of tendering between the Dutch and British interests?

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

Certainly, my Lords. There are all kinds of questions which enter into this: one is regularity of delivery, another is the quality of the milk, and another, of course, is the price.

LORD STONHAM

Butter fat, too.