HL Deb 05 February 1969 vol 299 cc131-3

2.30 p.m.

LORD MACPHERSON OF DRUMOCHTER

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 they can give an assurance that New Zealand's traditional export of dairy produce to this country will be protected in the event of import controls being introduced for these products.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD BROWN)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government will continue to observe their obligations to New Zealand with regard to imports of dairy produce. There have been quotas for butter imports, in agreement with New Zealand, since 1962. We have undertaken that New Zealand's quota will not be less than 170,000 tons and that we will consult the new Zealand Government before the opening of each quota year, as we are doing in relation to the year commencing April 1 next. For cheese, Her Majesty's Government are trying to obtain supplying countries' agreement to voluntary restraint on exports to this country on the basis of trade in previous years. The Board of Trade are also considering an application by United Kingdom producers for the imposition of antidumping or contervailing duties on imports of cheese from the main supplying countries other than New Zealand.

LORD MACPHERSON OF DRUMOCHTER

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that a request by Her Majesty's Government to producing countries voluntarily to restrict their exports of cheese has not worked, and that supplying countries such as New Zealand need some kind of protection for their dairy produce?

LORD BROWN

My Lords, I think it is too early yet to say definitely that the request for voluntary restriction has finally not worked. In any case, if it does not work and if the contention of the producers in this country is upheld as a result of Board of Trade investigations, then the pursuing countervailing duties would probably successfully protect the position of the New Zealand cheese producers.

LORD BLYTON

My Lords, in view of the present zeal to get in the Common Market with France, will my noble friend ensure that New Zealand will not be penalised in the future as a producing country?

LORD BROWN

My Lords, we have an agreement with New Zealand, which is due for reconsideration in 1970 for new conditions to be observed after 1972. No doubt the position of New Zealand will be considered during the negotiations.

LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORD

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that while the position of New Zealand producers deserves every proper consideration the position of the dairy producers in this country also deserves full consideration; and that at the present time they are gravely anxious about the position of milk products? Unless this market can be a little firmer than it has been in the past, the general expansion in agricultural production desired by the Government will not be achieved, because the dairy producers will be unable to play the part that everybody wants them to play.

LORD ROWALLAN

My Lords, may I ask whether the noble Lord is aware that in Scotland the situation is just as distressing for farmers as it is in England?

LORD BROWN

My Lords, both the Minister of Agriculture and the Board of Trade are fully aware of the position of the home market; thus their initial efforts to get voluntary restraint in order to prevent a very serious break in the price of these commodities. And thus their concern to follow up with expedition the investigation into dumping practices, to which I have already referred.

LORD LEATHERLAND

My Lords, does my noble friend agree that much of this trouble is due to the snobbish outlook of middle-class housewives, who think it is fashionable to ask for fancy Swiss, German, Dutch and other Continental cheeses, instead of being content with good wholesome Cheddar, Cheshire, Wensleydale and Caerphilly?

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, are Her Majesty's Government aware that there is a very good demand for the new airtight packs of 8 oz. of British cheese for half-a-crown a piece? Would they suggest to the producers that they should have 4 oz. packs, which would probably be even more popular?

LORD BROWN

My Lords, I note the noble Lord's comments. With regard to the comments of my noble friend Lord Leatherland, I would remind him that the proportion of the so-called "snobbish" cheeses to which he has referred is small in ratio to the total consumption of cheese in this country.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, the outcome of the investigation to which the noble Lord referred that is being undertaken by the Board of Trade is awaited with great interest. Can he say when it is likely to come about?

LORD BROWN

My Lords, it is a long process because investigations have to take place in a number of countries which are sending us cheese. I should not like to hazard a guess of the time those negotiations would take at every stage, but I can assure your Lordships that they will be pursued with the utmost zeal.

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